FEU downs Mapua for last quarters seat in Spikers' Turf

Games Wednesday

(The Arena, San Juan)

1 p.m. – La Salle vs UP

3 p.m. – UE vs NCBA

5 p.m. – Ateneo vs St. Benilde

MANILA, Philippines – Far Eastern University went to team captain Greg Dolor in the fifth and deciding set as it turned back Mapua, 25-21, 22-25, 25-16, 21-25, 15-9, on Monday to catch the last ticket to the quarterfinals in the Spikers' Turf Season 1-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

Dolor, a member of the national team that competed in the Asian Under-23 Championship in Myanmar last May, paced his team with 18 hits, including some crucial kills in the final set that clinched the Tams their second win against three outings and the last slot to the quarters.

There, FEU will join Emilio Aguinaldo, National University, National College of Business Arts from Group A and Ateneo, College of St. Benilde, La Salle and University of the Philippines in Group B.

"He made key plays in the final set for us," said FEU coach Joseph Santos, referring to the power-spiking Dolor.

Jeric Gacutan, Joshua Barrica and Peter Quiel provided Dolor the help by scattering 13, 13 and 11, respectively.

The Cardinals, who were led by skipper Philip Michael Balagay's match-best 20, fell to their fourth defeat against a victory and out of it all.

FEU appeared dominating Mapua in the early goings when it took the opening set and raced to a mighty 17-10 advantage in the second set.

But Bagalay and Anjo Pertierra, who finished with 15, willed the Mia Mario-mentored Cardinals back to steal the seat and knotted it at 1-1.

The Tams bounced back by dominating the third set before the Cardinals tied it up again and forcing a decider by taking the fourth set.

Then Dolor took over.