Far Eastern University is learning quickly that early dominance in the UAAP is rarely about fireworks. Sometimes, it is about patience, nerve, and the ability to close when the other side refuses to blink.
That was the lesson on Wednesday as the Tamaraws leaned on composure rather than power to dispatch a stubborn University of the East side, 25-20, 25-23, 25-23, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, moving into a share of the early lead in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament.
The straight-set scoreline masked how tight the contest truly was. Each set unfolded with UE hanging close, extending rallies, and forcing FEU into longer exchanges that tested discipline and decision-making more than raw execution. In the end, the Tamaraws proved steadier in the crucial points, winning the final three rallies of both the second and third sets to seal the sweep.
Lirick Mendoza anchored that calm finish, pacing FEU with 16 points built on a well-rounded night of scoring at the net and service line. His presence at the middle repeatedly slowed UE’s momentum, allowing the Tamaraws to reset and regain control whenever the Red Warriors threatened to break through.
Support came from multiple fronts. Dryx Saavedra delivered timely offense and back-row stability, while Doula Ndongalla and Amet Bituin chipped in steady production that kept FEU from becoming predictable during extended rallies. The balance allowed FEU to avoid prolonged scoring droughts, even when UE’s defense forced them off-system.
With the win, FEU improved to 2-0, drawing level with defending champion National University Bulldogs at the top of the standings and setting the stage for an early-season collision that already carries a Finals-like edge.
Coach Eddieson Orcullo acknowledged that the match demanded restraint as much as aggression, crediting UE for making the Tamaraws work for every point. He noted that the Red Warriors’ serving pressure and floor defense disrupted FEU’s rhythm, particularly late in sets, but added that his squad’s ability to stay composed under stress ultimately made the difference.
For UE, the loss dropped the Red Warriors to 0-2, though the performance suggested a team closer to breaking through than the record indicates. Isaiah Roca led their scoring effort, while Raquim Aceron continued to contribute across multiple skills, providing both offense and reception stability despite the defeat.
As the tournament settles into its early rhythm, FEU’s sweep served as a reminder that championship contenders are often defined not by how fast they start, but by how well they survive matches that refuse to go according to script.