FAR Eastern University (FEU) came back from a fourth set loss to trip the University of the Philippines (UP) in the ongoing eliminations of the UAAP men's volleyball tournament at the Arena in San Juan Sunday.
Quarter scores are 25-23, 25-22, 20-25, 10-25, 15-11, in favor of the Tamaraws.
Veteran Rodolfo Labrador posted 20 hits and two service aces while teammate Nestor Molate contributed 19 points and four blocks to lead the Tamaraws at solo second, 8-1, one game behind defending champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) 9-1 slate.
On Saturday, the Growling Tigers won its fifth straight game by sweeping University of the East (UE), 25-17, 28-26, 25-11, to maintain solo leadership in the eight-school tourney.
Jan Paolo Martinez led the losing cause of the Fighting Maroons by unloading 22 points while Giancarlo Ramos chipped in 16 points as UP dropped its fifth game in nine matches.
The other contest meanwhile saw Ateneo avenging its first round shocking defeat to Adamson via a three sets to one decision.
Graduating Andre Joseph Pareja bannered the Blue Eagles anew by tallying 17 points and three blocks, followed by John Joseph Sandoval with 14 points.
Team captain Eduardo Ortega scored one service ace as the Katipunan-based squad tied its neighbor from Diliman (UP) with 4-5 slate.
Quarter scores are 27-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-21 in favor of the Eagles who only contained the Falcons after 90 minutes of volleyball action.
Adamson dropped to 2-7 with the loss as the combined 28 points of John Competente and Nito Jeruz proved to be not enough.
The Falcons are now half game behind National University (NU) Bulldogs who continue to languish at the cellar after surrendering in a thrilling contest against third-running De La Salle University on Saturday.
The game also saw La Salle top hitter Chris Macasaet with 29 points – six short of a personal best 35 markers – behind 25 hits, three blocks and a service ace.
In the women's contest, La Salle volleybelles extended its winning run to nine after disposing archrival Ateneo via a 97-minute showdown.
The roaring crowd of 1,574 witnessed the lead changes in the distaff side as the Lady Archers championship poise nipped the resurgent spirit of the Lady Eagles, 25-15, 25-20, 21-25, 25-21.
Four members of the famed Taft-based squad scored double figures as leader Stephanie Mercado tallied 18 points and 15 hits, while Abigail Marano contributed 14 points, five blocks, and four service aces.
Ateneo dropped to solo fourth for a 5-4 record, one game behind perennial contender Adamson (6-4).
Other sports round-up
While the Falcon tossers are continuously fighting for survival, its softball team is soaring heights after maintaining a clean slate via a hard-earned 9-7 victory over Ateneo in Thursday’s UAAP baseball tournament at the Rizal Memorial baseball stadium.
The two-time defending champions are now on top with 4-0 slate while the Maroons also recorded their third straight win with an 11-7 decision over sliding UST in the other game.
Vladimir Eguia displayed his class on both ends of the plate as the Maroons improved to 3-1.
UST fell to its third straight loss to tie Ateneo with a 1-3 card.
In men's football, reigning champion University of the Philippines and unbeaten University of Santo Tomas face off at the Erenchun field in Ateneo campus.
State U, which scored wins against University of the East (2-0) and host Ateneo (2-0), and Santo Tomas U are still playing as of press time with the winner taking the early lead in this edition of the annual tournament. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)