MANILA, Philippines – For the first time in six long years, the FEU Tamaraws are back in the UAAP men’s volleyball finals after ousting the La Salle Green Spikers from Season 87 contention off a four-set conquest, 24-26, 25-23, 25-19, 25-20, at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, May 3.
Ariel Cacao helped five players to double-digit scoring with 31 excellent sets as FEU exorcised the ghost of its Season 86 failures, where it fell as a first seed in back-to-back Final Four games to eventual silver medalist UST.
Doula Ndongala led the way with a team-high 17 points on 12 attacks, 4 blocks, and 1 ace. Mikko Espartero also scored 17, all off attacks, while Lirick Mendoza stuffed 5 hits on the way to 14 points.
Noel Kampton paced the heartbreaking loss with 19 points as La Salle settled for a fourth-place finish for the third year in a row.
Meanwhile, the UST Golden Spikers made the most of their early escape wins, taking a four-set thriller over the defending UAAP men’s volleyball champions NU Bulldogs, 26-24, 27-25, 19-25, 25-18.
Two-time reigning MVP Josh Ybañez answered the call as expected with another all-around line of 22 points off 19 attacks and 3 blocks with 16-of-19 receptions, followed by 15 points from Jay Rack de la Noche.
Star setter Dux Yambao tossed 20 excellent sets as Popoy Colinares fought through injury to finish with 7 points on a team-high 5 blocks.
Leo Aringo, Jr. paced the disappointing loss for the defending champions with 18 points, backstopped by 15 from Leo Ordiales and 14 from Jade Disquitado.
Peng Taguibolos also scored 10, but saw his huge game-high 7-block total go to waste as UST won over NU for the first time in Season 87. – Rappler.com