The intense first set lasted 42 minutes.
The FEU Tamaraws notched their second win of the season after defeating the Adamson Soaring Falcons in four sets, 31-33, 25-17, 25-17, 25-23.
With both teams coming off losses, the match started with intensity. The opening frame lasted 42 minutes, as both FEU and Adamson kept exchanging blows and extending the set—until the boys of San Marcelino eked out a 33-31 win.
From there, however, FEU coach Rey Diaz’ stalwarts took over.
Diaz says even after the loss to the UST Growling Tigers last Wednesday, they went into today’s game sticking to the same game plan.
‘’’Yun ‘yung gusto namin, bumalik sa system na mayroon kami,” said Diaz.
“Doon pa rin kami naka-focus, ‘yung ano ba ‘yung mayroon ‘yung team namin. Mahirap kasi kung humanap ng butas ng kalaban, pero ‘yung sarili natin hindi natin mabuo,” he added.
Aside from playing to their strengths, Diaz says winning the game came down to focus and composure, especially in a game where the Falcons kept crawling back. In that fourth set, FEU needed all it had to escape Adamson, 25-23, and seal the win.
“Kailangan talaga ng player mag-focus. Kailangan nila magtiwala sa sarili nila. Kailangan nila magtiwala sa kasama nila,” said Diaz.
They achieved that this game, but it doesn’t mean the learning ends there.
“Part ng [next] step namin kung paano ba kami magiging composed,” Diaz added.
With the win, FEU improves to 2-1 while Adamson stays winless at 0-3.
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada, One Sports Digital)