Far Eastern University flexed its might and swept University of the East, 25-16, 25-23, 25-19, to mark its best start in six years in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, March 5.

The Tamaraws leaned on their balanced offense and built enough separation to fend off the Red Warriors and clinch their fifth straight win.

Benny Martinez, as expected, orchestrated FEU’s offense with 10 excellent sets while Mikko Espartero and skipper Jelord Talisayan registered eight and seven points, respectively. Lirick Baustista added eight points.

John Aligayon and Raquim Aceron combined for 24 points for UE in a losing cause.

“Actually, tuloy-tuloy lang ‘yong ginagawa namin [na] hindi kami nagsta-stop. ‘Yong mga struggles, I think na-overcome na namin, especially yung mga nagkasakit,” said assistant coach Rene Dulay, as FEU rides on its best start since Season 81 or in 2019.

“ Ang tingin namin, with a combined team effort, malaking factor ‘yon kasi with a 5-0 record, we’re still pushing para mas gumanda pa ‘yong performance namin in the next games,” he added.

UE fell to a 0-5 hole.

Up next for the Tamaraws are the Adamson Soaring Falcons this Saturday, March 8, at the same venue.

Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas continued its dominant run by pulling off a 25-18, 25-19, 25-11 victory over University of the Philippines for its fourth consecutive win.

Despite still missing the service of back-to-back UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez, the Golden Spikers were firing from all angles to keep themselves at the front over the struggling Fighting Maroons.

Jan Macan carried the load for the España-based crew with 15 points built on 10 attacks, two blocks, and three aces while Jay De La Noche and Ed Colinares tallied 14 apiece as UST improved its win-loss record to 4-1 at second.

UP, on the other hand, sustained its fourth straight defeat to settle for a 1-4 slate at seventh.