FEU nails Tiger Spikers in PVL

THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Spikers suffered a 23-25, 23-25, 24-26 beating from the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Spikers in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Collegiate Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan on Sept. 13.

Down by two sets, UST took a 24-22 lead in the third set but FEU put a stop to the Tiger Spikers’ comeback to down them via sweep.

UST started off the second set on a roll and kept a four-point lead (16-12) against FEU but the Tamaraws showed a scoring blitz to break out of the deadlock.

The Tiger Spikers displayed impressive defense but still fell short against the Tamaraws.

Joshua Umandal led UST with 15 markers, while Arnold Bautista added 11.

“Kaya kami natalo, kulang pa yung gigil namin manalo,” Bautista said in an interview with The Spiral Journal.

Tamaraws John Paul Bugaoan and RJ Paler banked a total of 27 points leading FEU with their third straight victory in four outings.

UST suffered a second straight loss, now with a 2-2 win-loss card in the collegiate conference.

Tiger Spikers captain Isaiah Icalina said they need to maintain their momentum when they are leading.

"[K]asi usually ang nangyayari, kahit lumalamang kami napapabayaan namin, hanggang sa makalayo na score ng opposing team. We need to improve on the way we handle pressure, kasi kapag masyado na natetense, minsan nagsusunod sunod na errors," he said in an online interview.

The Tiger Spikers will face the National University Bulldogs next on Sept. 18, 8 a.m. at the same venue.