Far Eastern University ensured there would be no let-up this time, as they overcame the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in four grueling sets with scores of 25-22, 23-25, 25-16, and 25-16 in the preliminary round of the V-League Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The victory propelled the Tamaraws to share the fourth spot in the team standings with their opponents, the Altas, both standing at 2-2, setting the stage for a battle to secure semifinal berths.
Dryx Saavedra took charge for FEU during the crucial finishing run, turning a precarious 12-10 lead into a 13-6 explosion. Lirick Mendoza then sealed the match with a decisive kill block.
"Yung kapit na pinakita natin nung dulo (against Ateneo), dapat umpisa pa lang gawin na namin. At yun yung ginawa namin," said head coach Ed Orcullo.
"Yung blocking, nilinis namin at yung depensa. Yun talaga yung inayos namin."
That sturdy defense propelled the Tamaraws, as Saavedra contributed four digs to his 20-point performance, which also included two kill blocks. On the other hand, Mendoza added three rejections, contributing to FEU's total of 13 blocks.
Klint Mateo, who took on the dual roles of setting and spiking, led the Altas with 13 points and three excellent sets. Mike Medalla and Jeff Marapoc each added 10 points.
