UST, FEU set Finals duel

source: www.uaapsports.com
By Anthony Divinagracia and Ivan de Lara
21 February 2010 09:45 AM

Manila, Philippines - Without complicating matters any longer, fierce rivals University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Far Eastern University (FEU) barged into the 72nd UAAP men’s volleyball finals by thrashing their Final Four challengers at the San Juan Arena yesterday.

Displaying the form that won them last year’s championship, the Tigers broke no sweat in disposing off the University of the Philippines (UP) Maroons, 25-20, 25-19, 25-21 in the 1:04-long action.

The España-based squad dominated their rivals from Diliman in all fields as the Tigers unloaded 43 spikes, nine kill blocks, and six service aces. Harby Ilano and Henry Pecaña registered 12 points apiece, while John Paul Torres and Salvador Depante had 10 markers each to bring UST to their third straight finals appearance.

The Tigers took advantage of the Maroons’ inadequate defense throughout the scrimmage, setting combination plays anchored on Pecaña and Ilano that eluded UP’s blockers and sweepers.

“Because of our reception, we were able to set up our attacks,” UST head coach Emil Lontoc said. “The players are coming into the finals confident.”

No UP Maroon scored in double figures as Lloyd Belgado chalked up eight markers to pace his teammates, while skipper Jan Paolo Martinez graduated from his UAAP career with three points.

Earlier, the Tamaraws bucked a tentative first set-performance to subdue the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles, 18-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-17.

“The players were a little slow in the first set, good thing they were able to adjust (in the succeeding frames),” said FEU coach George Pascua.

Nestor Molate and Joshua Alcarde, who were part of the FEU team that last made it to the championship series in Season 70, made sure they would book another finals appearance this year as they dished out 23 and 14 points, respectively.

The Tigers and the Tamaraws last met in the Finals in Season 70, with UST winning the title in three games.

Meanwhile, playing his last UAAP game, Ateneo’s AJ Pareja finished with 12 kills, including one quick hit that went straight to FEU’s Brayn Brioso’s chest in the fourth set. His performance was equaled by sophomore Duane Teves who also had 12 markers.