FEU Inches Closer to Playoff Advantage with Win Over La Salle

Far Eastern University moved one step closer to securing a twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament with a hard-fought 25-21, 21-25, 25-22, 25-21 victory over De La Salle University on Wednesday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Despite a rare lapse in the second set, the Tamaraws relied on the standout performances of Mikko Espartero, Dryx Saavedra, and Amet Bituin to push themselves closer to earning a playoff advantage for the third consecutive season.

With the win, FEU further solidified its hold on solo first place with a 10-1 record, extending its lead to one game over defending champions and second-place National University (9-2).

“Team standings aren’t really our main goal. We focus on each game, and that’s what matters. We take it one day at a time, working towards our bigger goal,” said Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo.

Earlier, Ateneo triumphed over the University of the Philippines, 25-23, 22-25, 23-25, 25-18, 15-7, securing its sixth win in 11 matches.

Meanwhile, La Salle dropped to fifth place with a 5-6 record and now faces Ateneo in a crucial match on Saturday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan, which could decide the No. 4 seed in the Final Four race.

In the third set, FEU overcame a sluggish start, rallying from a 10-12 deficit to take control with a four-point lead at 19-15. Key attacks from Luis Miguel, Bituin, and Charles Absin helped the Tamaraws seize a 2-1 set advantage.

La Salle fought back in the fourth set, even holding a slim 19-18 lead after a block by Cameroonian middle blocker Issa Ousseini and an Espartero attack error. However, FEU finished strong, closing the set with a 7-2 run, capped by two game-winning blocks from Absin. This final push strengthened FEU's bid for a playoff advantage while complicating La Salle’s hopes of advancing to the Final Four.

Espartero led the Tamaraws with 14 points and 12 excellent receptions. Bituin added 13 points, including 11 attacks and two blocks, along with 11 excellent receptions. Saavedra chipped in with 12 points.

Lirick Mendoza contributed eight points on six attacks and two blocks, while Miguel and Absin each had seven points in the one hour and 50-minute match. Team captain Ariel Cacao recorded 25 excellent sets and one point, while Vennie Ceballos tallied 18 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs.

For La Salle, Yoyong Mendoza led with 18 points on 17 attacks and one block, followed by Eugene Gloria with 13 points on 11 attacks, 12 excellent receptions, and four excellent digs. Chris Hernandez finished with 12 points and 18 excellent receptions, while Ousseini added 10 points.

Rookie setter NJ Bangit provided 20 excellent sets, and freshman libero Sherwin Retiro recorded 18 excellent receptions and 12 excellent digs.