By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Far Eastern University banked on Dryx Saavedra to beat defending champion National University, 22-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 15-13, in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball best-of-three finals at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Sunday.
Saavedra delivered a game-high 25 points, built on 21 attacks, three blocks, and an ace, powering the Tamaraws within one win of their first championship since Season 74 in 2012.
Amet Samuel Bituin contributed 16 points on 13 attacks and three blocks, while Mikko Espartero had 10 points and 26 excellent receptions for FEU.
It was NU’s first loss in the finals since Season 79 when Ateneo de Manila University swept the tournament.
The Bulldogs then ruled the next four seasons, with a two-year gap in between because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Adjustments, I think, were the biggest factor for us in that situation earlier,” Tamaraws coach Eddieson Orcullo said after the two-hour, 31-minute match.
“In the fifth set, we really minimized our errors — because you need to lessen your errors or better yet, have none at all, which would be ideal. We were hungry. And that hunger… sometimes it leads to doing all the right things, like proper preparation when you really want something,” he added.
The win was also a sweet revenge for FEU, which was denied an outright berth after losing to NU, 25-17, 21-25, 25-17, 14-25, 9-15, in the preliminaries.
FEU will shoot for its 26th title on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Leo Ordiales finished with a career-high 23 points on 22 spikes and a block, while Jade Disquitado had 17 points, 17 receptions, and eight digs for the Bulldogs.
Michaelo Buddin, who endured the pain of a sprained right ankle, chipped in 12 points, followed by Rwenzmel Taguibolos and Leo Aringo Jr. with nine and seven points, respectively. (PNA)
