The third seed Far Eastern University Tamaraws have eliminated the fourth-ranked De La Salle University Green Spikers to advance to the next step of the UAAP Season 85 men's volleyball stepladder playoffs on Wednesday.
The Morayta-based squad beat the Taft men in four sets, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 25-22.
It was a hard-fought match for the Tamaraws, but they were able to exert their dominance against a Green Spikers squad that dealt them a five-set defeat back in the second round.
MVP contender Mark Calado led the charge with 22 points, coming off 20 attacks, along with a block and an ace.
La Salle had four players in double digits, but their effort was put to naught against Martin Bugaoan. The younger brother of Cignal HD Spiker JP Bugaoan proved the Tamaraws' power with this kill.
But the league's top scorer is not satisfied, telling One Sports they still have to improve on their 22 errors.
"Kailangan mas buo pa ang sistema na meron kami," Calado said after the match.
And the Season 81 runner-up would have to do more if they want to challenge second seed University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers, led by league-leading open spiker and server Josh Ybañez.
But they are the Tamaraws. They're not ready to quit even when facing a UST squad that can kill with aces and playmaking.
(With reports from Rainier Mira and Julio Gabriel, One Sports Digital and UAAP Varsity Channel)
(GM)