Far Eastern University extended the misery of University of Santo Tomas, rallying from six points down in the third set to carve out a tight 26-24, 25-23, 25-19 sweep and remain undefeated in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday, March 23, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Behind the balanced effort from Mikko Espartero, Ariel Cacao, and Dryx Saavedra, the Tamaraws stretched their winning streak to eight outings, while sending the Golden Spikers skidding to their third consecutive defeat.

Once holding a 4-1 record, the Golden Spikers now find themselves outside of the Final Four picture at solo fifth place with a 4-4 slate.

UST is now one game behind Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University, whose victories over the weekend allowed them to forge a share for third place with identical 5-3 records.

This win also paved the way for the Tamaraws to assert their dominance over the Golden Spikers, who they defeated in their Season 87 opener in four sets last February 15.

“Huwag lang dapat kami makuntento tsaka magrelax. Yung mga nangyari sa sets, especially sa first and second sets, dapat hanggang hindi natatapos yung match or yung set, hindi dapat kami tumigil. May momentum na minsan pero hindi pa nagwi-whistle yung referee pero tumitigil na kami sa paggalaw. Medyo linisin pa dapat namin ‘yon at iba pang bagay-bagay,” FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo said.

The Tamaraws were sent down a six-point, 2-8 hole to start the third set, but they held their ground by responding with a dominant 14-6 run, capped with a crosscourt hit from Saavedra and a backrow attack from team captain Jelord Talisayan, to gain a slim 16-14 advantage.

From that point onwards, FEU seized control as a block from Congolaise middle blocker Doula Ndongala, a service error from UST team captain Dux Yambao, a Saavedra backrow attack, and an Espartero crosscourt hit sealed the Tamaraws’ eighth consecutive win in as many games.

A tightly-contested second set affair saw the Golden Spikers inch within one point at 23-22 after an off-the-block hit from Jayrack dela Noche, but clutch attacks from Espartero and Talisayan allowed the Tamaraws to build a 2-0 set advantage.

FEU displayed poise under pressure in the first set as the trio of Espartero, Ariel Cacao, and Amet Bituin powered the Tamaraws’ crucial 5-0 run to turn a 21-24 deficit to an opening set triumph.