Far Eastern University and National University battle in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 Men's Volleyball Finals in Quezon City on May 11, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- Far Eastern University has a chance to end National University's long reign in UAAP men's volleyball -- and regain their spot on top of the league -- on Wednesday.
The Tamaraws outlasted the Bulldogs in a five-set thriller in Game 1 of the Season 87 Finals series last Sunday and are now looking to completely dethrone NU in Game 2, set at the Mall of Asia Arena.
First serve is at 1:00 p.m., after the league recognizes the top individual players in the men's division in an awarding ceremony.
The Tamaraws have not won the UAAP men's volleyball crown since 2012 and coach Eddieson Orcullo is banking on his players' hunger to end the title drought.
"Gutom kami kaya siguro naging ganoon yung laro. Yung gutom kasi minsan ang daming nagagawa sa preparation sa kung pano mo gagawin yung bagay na gusto mong kunin yung isang bagay," Orcullo said after they pulled off a 22-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 15-13 victory over the five-peat seeking Bulldogs.
READ: FEU inches closer to Season 87 crown after stunning NU in thriller
"'Yun nga yung pinag-usapan namin ng boys, even the coaches, na pilitin nating kunin kasi prepared naman tayo eh. Prepared naman yung team sa lahat nang mangyayari. Siguro yung pagkagutom namin sa Finals, kailangan magtuloy-tuloy," he added.
Despite the tough result, NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin believes his team can force a decider.
"Sa pagbabago ng FEU? Siyempre ano, in terms naman sa lineup, sila 'yung pinaka-intact talaga eh. Almost third year and fourth year 'yung team na 'yon. Siguro in terms sa mindset talaga medyo kanina, talagang sobrang lumamang sa amin talaga. Pero sabi ko nga, kasama 'to sa paglaro para mas mag-improve pa 'yung team," said Alinsunurin.
It will be NU's second do-or-die of the season, having defeated University of Santo Tomas in last week's Final Four decider.
"Nakikita namin kung ano 'yung mga struggle namin kada merong importanteng game, or may twice-to-beat kami natatalo kami, kailangan namin lumaban para sa do-or-die. Sabi ko nga, ito 'yung lalong magpapatibay sa 'min, para mas gumanda 'yung programa namin lalo sa NU, hindi lang naman ngayon, kundi sa mga susunod pang mga game," said Alinsunurin.
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