IN A GRUDGE match between last season’s UAAP finalists, the Tiger Spikers again tumbled to perennial rival and defending champion Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in a thrilling 25-20, 18-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-11 finals encounter in the Fifth Toribio Cup at the Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology gym last June 1.
The Tiger Spikers, who played second-fiddle to the Tamaraws for the past two UAAP seasons, appeared headed for a reversal when they built a commanding 21-13 lead in the first set.
But the Tamaraws, displayed championship resolve throughout the one hour-and-44-minute showdown, pouncing on the Tiger Spikers’ defensive meltdown in the second and third sets to alter the game’s complexion.
With Jonjon dela Cruz, Edjet Mabbayad, and Nelson Locquiao taking advantage of UST’s series of turnovers, the Tamaraws established an 18-11 lead in the second juncture to deny a 2-0 set advantage for the Tiger Spikers.
Though UST held sway in the third frame, 13-11, its reception errors persisted, allowing the Tamaraws to tie the count at 21-apiece en route for a win.
Bungled comeback
Staring at a 2-1 deficit, UST staged long rallies in an effort to offset its service errors and ice the Tamaraws’ hitters for a 10-8 advantage. Jessie Lopez’s service ace, however, pushed the Tamaraws on top, 12-11, before the Tiger Spikers waxed hot anew.
UST team captain Robertly Boto, Glenn Boongaling, and rookie Nozerino Roque, then bombarded FEU with an array of quick and open hits to regain the lead, 22-18, and force a decider.
In the fifth set, two kills from Roque raised optimism for the Tiger Spikers, 8-6. Roque’s 12 markers in the game, however, was not enough to penetrate FEU’s defense anchored on Cruz, Mabbayad, and Locquiao, that sealed the title for the Tamaraws.
“It was a close game considering that they (Tiger Spikers) are yet to reach their peak form,” Tiger Spikers coach Emil Lontoc told the Varsitarian.
Boongaling scored 13 points and five blocks to lead UST in a losing cause.
Dela Cruz paced FEU with 14 points and three blocks.
Early victories
Last May 30, the Tiger Spikers raced past Lyceum University, 25-23, 25-15, 25-17, in the semifinals to secure a championship duel with the Tamaraws.
Riding on Boto’s 10 points and three blocks, UST coasted to a 25-12, 25-15, 25-14 triumph over Jose Rizal University’s small frontline to cap off the elimination round last May 28.
After crushing San Sebastian College, 25-12, 22-25, 25-10, 31-29 last May 21, the Tiger Spikers bounced back from its May 23 default loss to College of St. Benilde with a 25-23, 25-18, 25-20 upset victory against previous runner-up University of the Philippines last May 27.
The Tiger Spikers, who joined the tournament for the first time, finished with a 6-2 win-loss card.
