PASAY CITY – Far Eastern University (FEU) extended its winning streak to five, defeating University of the East (UE) in straight sets, 25-16, 25-23, 25-19, on Wednesday (05 Mar 2025) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament.

Mikko Espartero led the way for the Tamaraws with eight points and six digs, while middle blocker Lirick Mendoza also contributed eight points, including five attacks and three blocks. This win mirrors FEU’s 5-0 start from Season 81 (2019).

“We just keep pushing forward. We’ve overcome our challenges, especially the illnesses in the team. Our success comes from a strong collective effort,” said assistant coach Rene Dulay, who is standing in for head coach Eddieson Orcullo, recovering from Achilles surgery.

Skipper Jelord Talisayan, Dryx Saavedra, and Doula Ndongala combined to build an 18-13 lead in the third set. Despite a brief rally by UE, FEU sealed the win through Amet Bituin and Ariel Cacao, wrapping up the match in one hour and 22 minutes.

Talisayan finished with seven points, including six attacks and one block, while Saavedra and Ndongala each added seven points. Vennie Ceballos contributed 12 receptions, and Benny Martinez recorded 10 excellent sets.

“The key is balance and teamwork. We make sure every player contributes—it’s not about one person, but the whole team,” Dulay explained.

For the Red Warriors (0-5), John Steve Aligaynon led with 13 points, followed by Raquim Aceron’s 11 points and 15 excellent receptions. Roy Gabriel Piojo chipped in with nine points.

FEU’s next match is against Adamson University, while UE will face De La Salle University on Saturday.

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MANILA — The University of the East (UE) has appointed Christian Gavina as the new head coach of its men’s basketball team, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the program.

With a strong legacy in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), UE aims to reassert its dominance under Gavina’s leadership.

Gavina brings extensive coaching experience, both locally and internationally, including a successful stint with the Taiwan Mustangs in the T1 League and a key role in leading the Taichung Suns to the T1 League Final Four playoffs.

He also coached in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) with Rain or Shine and Mahindra Enforcer, where his defensive systems earned recognition.

His recent achievement as the 2024 Best Coach in the U19 NBTC National Finals further solidifies his coaching credentials.

“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Chris Gavina to the Red Warriors family,” said UE President Zosimo Battad. “His passion, leadership, and wealth of experience will help shape a new generation of champions.”

Gavina expressed excitement about taking the helm of the Red Warriors, a team with a rich history of producing basketball legends like Robert Jaworski, Allan Caidic, Jerry Codiñera, and James Yap. “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Coach Baby Dalupan and lead this prestigious program,” he said.

Emphasizing player development, defensive discipline, and a strong work ethic, Gavina aims to instill a culture of resilience and accountability, guiding UE back to its former glory.

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MANILA — Reigning champion National U drubbed Adamson, 25-13, 26-24, 25-20, and booked a finals return trip in the Shakey’ Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

The Lady Bulldogs erased a 22-24 deficit in the second set before banking on a hot start in the clincher to score yet another straight-sets victory and shore up their back-to-back championship bid.

It’s the seventh sweep in a row for the mighty NU squad that needed only 83 minutes to capture the win in the knockout semifinals with skipper Erin May Pangilinan and reigning MVP Alyssa Solomon spearheading the way.

NU will face off against either Far Eastern U or University of Santo Tomas – which were still playing as of press time – in the best-of-three finale of the SSL Season 2 backed by Mikasa, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Summit Bottle Water, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, R and B Milk Tea, Potato Corner, Rebel Sports, Converge ICT Solutions, Genius Sports and United Auctioneers, Inc.

Pangilinan fired 11 points on seven hits, two blocks and two aces, including a bevy of clutch hits in the pivotal second set while Solomon cashed in 10 points on seven attacks, two blocks and an ace.

Former UAAP Rookie-MVP Mhicaela Belen, Evangeline Alinsug and rookie Arah Ella Panique contributed nine, eight and seven points, respectively, for the wards of returning mentor Norman Miguel.

“We have to check first kung sino makakalaban namin. From there, doon na manggagaling lahat ng adjustments namin. But again, ganoon pa rin naman sa finals kung ano yung tinatrabaho namin,” said Miguel, mentioning passing, blocking and floor defense as areas of improvement for his wards moving forward.

“Going into the finals, dapat sabay-sabay ang kundisyon nila. Yun ang kailangan naming trabahuhin.”

NU, which wiped out Pool A in the prelims and Pool E in the playoffs before making short work of the University of the East in the quarterfinals, 25-19, 25-21, 25-23, picked up where it left off by pouring it down on Adamson with a dominant 25-13 first-set win.

In the second set, Lady Bulldogs nearly yielded their first set all-tournament long after staring at a 22-24 deficit off an Ayesha Juegos’ hit for the Lady Falcons only for Pangilinan to come to their rescue.

Pangilinan’s thunderous attack forced the deuce at 24-all followed by Panique’s soft touch and her block on Jimy Jean Jamili to cap a 4-0 finishing kick for a thrilling 26-24 win.

The lethal duo of Belen and Solomon then took over from there, anchoring a 10-6 start in the third set en route to a sweep.

Jamili, Ayesha Juego and Jen Villegas fired seven each for Adamson, which will duke it out against the loser between FEU and UST for the bronze medal of SSL Season 2 in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Meanwhile, in the classification phase, College of St. Benilde trounced Ateneo, 25-20, 19-25, 25-11, 25-11, to arrange a duel against UE for fifth place. Ateneo and Arellano will fight for No. 7.

All SSL Season 2 games are accessible across all platforms live and on-demand through the social media pages of Plus Network and SSL with Solar Sports, Blast TV and Aliw Channel 23 as TV partner.

(ai/mnm)