FAR Eastern University came out on top after a see-saw battle with fellow struggler Mapua, 25-21, 22-25, 25-16, 21-25, 15-9, on Monday in the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan.
Skipper Greg Dolor scored 18 points, Jeric Gacutan and Joshua Barrica had 13 apiece and Peter Quiel contributed 11 points as FEU scored only its second win in five matches.
FEU won the opener but never got to string two consecutive sets and was stretched to the distance by Mapua, which went on to suffer its fourth loss in five outings.
The Tamaraws looked to close out the match in the fourth set after taking a 14-11 lead but Mapua came up with a 7-2 run to take control and extend the match.
FEU broke loose from 5-5 contest in the fifth with a 7-0 run and held on. It was a big win for the Tamaraws, who lost a five-setter to National University in is previous match.
Tamaraws coach Joseph Santos admitted that complacency was the major reason why they almost lost the match.
“Nag-relax po kasi,” he said. “Kapag nakakuha kasi kami ng isang set nagre-relax ang mga players namin. Hinihinaan nila ang service, ang sabi ko kargahan ng kargahan ang service hangga’t hindi natatapos ang laro.”
Philip Bagalay had 20 points on 18 spikes and Anjo Partierra added 15 for the Cardinals, who share fifth spot with University of the East.