FAR Eastern University beat University of the Philippines, 25-21, 22-25, 22-25, 25-17, 15-11, to stay alive in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference on Sunday at the Arena in San Juan City.
After forcing a decider with a strong fourth set, the Tamaraws fell behind early in the fifth, 1-4, before recovering for their fifth win in nine matches.
FEU scored six straight for an 11-7 spread and held on, earning a playoff for the No. 4 spot against College of St. Benilde.
“Ang natatandaan kong sinabi ko, ‘patunayan natin na karapat dapat tayo magsuot ng FEU uniform tsaka karapat dapat tayo sa liga na ‘to.’ Kasi sayang ‘yung pagkakataon,” said FEU coach Rey Diaz.
“Buti na lang ‘yung mga bata na-feel siguro nila na kailangan nilang magtrabaho napakagandang laban ‘yung binigay ng UP kasi. Natutong kumapit ‘yung players namin sa crunch time,” Diaz said.
John Paul Bugaoan led the charge for the Tams with 20 points built on 14 spikes, four blocks and a pair of service aces.
Skipper Redijohn Paler delivered an all-around game with 13 hits, making 16 digs and 10 receptions, while Peter Quiel, Reco De Asis and Raymond Bautista added 10 markers each.
Kris Silang had 32 excellent sets.
FEU faces CSB on Wednesday for the last semis berth and the right to face league leader NU in a best-of-three series.
“Sana makatsamba kami kasi CSB alam naman nating napakatibay nila. Sana kung ano yung tibay na pinakita ng team ngayon, sana doblehin pa nila next time,” Diaz said.
John Mark Millette had 28 points for UP, Nicolo Consuelo contributed 15 hits and had 24 excellent receptions and 10 digs, while Matthew Gohoc added 10 points for the Maroons, who settled for six place with a 4-5 record.
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