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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Tamaraws tame reigning champion Bulldogs; Warriors snap 23-game slide

Tamaraws tame reigning champion Bulldogs; Warriors snap 23-game slide

Published Feb 21, 2026 03:57 pm

At A Glance

  • In clash of last year's finals rematch, the Tamaraws drew strength from their past heartbreak and turned a lethargic opener into a dominant act in the next three sets where the quartet of Amet Bituin, Lirick Mendoza, Dryx Saavedra, and Doula Ndongala delivered the goods.
FEU's AMET BITUIN hammers down a spike against NU's Greg Ancheta. (UAAP Images)
FEU's AMET BITUIN hammers down a spike against NU's Greg Ancheta. (UAAP Images)
Far Eastern University bucked a slow start and struck back at reigning champion National University, 22-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-20, to keep its record unblemished in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Saturday, Feb. 21.
In clash of last year’s finals rematch, the Tamaraws drew strength from their past heartbreak and turned a lethargic opener into a dominant act in the next three sets where the quartet of Amet Bituin, Lirick Mendoza, Dryx Saavedra, and Doula Ndongala delivered the goods.
The four standouts proved to be potent in taming the six-peat seeking Bulldogs en route to their third consecutive win -- and first over NU since Game 1 of Season 87 finals -- for a 3-0 card.
Bitiun shone the brightest for FEU with 16 points off 14 attacks and two aces on top of three digs and eight receptions, while Mendoza, Saavedra, and Ndongala added 17, 15, and 14 points, respectively.
"Sobrang nag-enjoy lang sa loob. Wala kaming ibang iniisip, para mas buo kami and effort lang ng bawat isa para manalo kami," said Bituin.
"Nung last na nakalaban ko po sila medyo hindi po okay 'yong laro ko, kaya sabi ko babawi ako kapag nakaharap ko sila ulit," he added.
Buds Buddin paced NU with 21 points on 17 kills, one block, and three aces, while Leo Ordiales and Jade Disquitado chipped in 15 and 13 points, but their efforts went futile as NU absorbed its first loss in three games.
"Yong game talaga pinapreparahan ng bawat isa... siguro talagang pinagkaloob lang din kasi tinrabaho, pinagisipan and na-execute ng tama kaya nakuha namin 'tong panalo," FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo said.
Meanwhile, University of the East finally snapped a 23-game losing spell after escaping Adamson, 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 30-32, 15-12.
The Red Warriors displayed grit and braved the Falcons’ defensive masterclass off 23 blocks to clinch their first victory since the first round of Season 86 in March 2024.
“To be honest ang sarap manalo ulit dito sa UAAP,” said UE coach Jumbo Dimaculangan. “I would say we have a very young team now and the rookies that we have, they are not prized recruits pero mas naniniwala kami na once we see a potential player, we try to develop them.”
Sophomore spiker Raquim Aceron starred for UE with 24 points along with 21 excellent receptions, while rookie Mark Lee Budias posted 16 points.
Rookie Jims Ducusin, for Adamson, topscored off 24 points with Richard Besorio contributing 17 points.
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