MANILA – Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws unseated the National University Nazareth School Bullpups, 25-13, 25-13, 25-17, in the do-or-die Game 3 of the UAAP Season 85 high school boys’ volleyball finals on Tuesday at the Paco Arena.
Bacolodnon setter Rhodson Du-ot was solid in orchestrating plays for teammates Amet Butuin and Andrei Delicana to be hailed as Finals MVP and help FEU-Diliman capture its first-ever crown in the division.
“Ibinigay namin yung best namin,” Du-ot said after the match. “Katulad ng sinabi ko sa kanila na walang makakatalo sa masipag, sinipagan namin hanggang matapos ang laro.”
Du-ot, a former standout of Living Stones International School in Bacolod City before being recruited by the Baby Tamaraws, added that he was more motivated to win the crown after failing to capture the Best Setter award.
“Ginagawa kong motivation yung mga taong sumusuporta sa amin para maging mas malakas,” said Du-ot. “Hindi ko nakuha yung Best Setter, mas pinatunayan ko sa Finals na kayang-kaya kong kunin iyon. Kaya nakuha ko yung Finals MVP po.”
The Rjay del Rosario-mentored Baby Tamaraws completed the comeback after dropping the Finals opener to win the series in three matches against the dethroned champions Bullpups.
Behind the heroics of Bituin, the Baby Tamaraws leveled the race-to-three championship series last Monday with a thrilling 23-25, 25-22, 25-14, 19-25, 15-13 escape over the Bullpups.
“Every champion was once a contender that refused to give up. Finally, after how many years of hard work and sacrifices, Thank you Lord sa binigay nyo po sa amin na kampeonato,” Del Rosario said.
“Credit goes to my players for giving their all to finally achieve our goals in this tournament,” added the Ilonggo volleyball mentor. “We will surely not stop here and try to win it again next year.”
This was the third UAAP juniors championship of FEU-Diliman after earlier capturing the titles in UAAP Season 85 high school football and boys basketball./PN
