The FEU Tamaraws grabbed a crucial four-set victory over the UST Golden Spikers, while the UP Fighting Maroons snatched its first win after defeating the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament on Saturday, April 13.
Far Eastern University remains on top of the standings after fending off the University of Santo Tomas in four sets, 25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 25-23, in the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Memorial Stadium in Malate on Saturday, April 13.
After their thrilling victory in the third set, the Tamaraws distanced themselves early on from the Golden Spikers in the fourth behind Andrei Delicana and Lirick Mendoza.
FEU then showed its blocking prowess to extend the lead even further to 22-14 behind back-to-back blocks by Ariel Cacao and Martin Bugaoan.
Two-straight points by Bugaoan and JayJay Javelona put the Tamaraws at match point before Josh Ybanez's attack sailed wide to give the Morayta-based squad the victory.
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Cacao had an excellent game leading FEU with 25 excellent sets. Bugaoan led the scoring department for the Tamaraws with 21 points built on 15 attacks and six blocks, while Delicana and Javelona added 18 and 12 markers apiece.
With the win, FEU is now on a six-game winning streak with a 10-1 record, sitting atop the standings.
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On the other hand, UST, with a 7-5 record, had its three-game winning streak ended but remain the favorites to secure the last two Final Four spots.
Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines ended its 15-game losing streak after overcoming Adamson University in four sets, 19-25, 25-23, 25-23, 28-26.
The Fighting Maroons' last victory came last season against Ateneo de Manila University in a five-set thriller on April 12, 2023.
UP had to pull out all the stops in the fourth set to wrap up the game in just over two hours.
Leo Coguimbal and Jude Aguilar's consecutive blocks on Louis Gamban gave the Adamson Soaring Falcons a slight lead at 26-25.
However, UP's team captain Dan Nicolas leveled the score with a swift kill, and Brian Chavez's clever right-hand tip secured the Fighting Maroons' match point at 27-26.
Although Dan Gutierrez almost countered for Adamson, his spike's follow-through led to him touching the net, resulting in UP clinching the victory.
Clarence Santiago orchestrated the Fighting Maroons' offense, tallying 26 exceptional sets and contributing seven points himself, resulting in four players reaching double figures.
Angelo Lagando and Louis Gamban each notched 13 points, while Nicolas added 12.
Meanwhile, Marc Paulino led the scoring for Adamson with 20 points, supported by Francis Casas with 18 points. Leo Coguimbal and Jude Aguilar contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The Falcons suffered their third consecutive defeat, bringing their record to 4-7 and dimming their chances of making it to the Final Four.