DRYX Saavedra proved his mettle once again when it mattered most.

The reigning UAAP Season 86 Best Opposite Hitter dropped a game-high 29 points to power Far Eastern University past a gritty University of the Philippines  side, 25-19, 25-21, 20-25, 29-31, 15-12 and secure the first Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament on Sunday (06 Apr 2025) morning at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tamaraws, rebounding from a heartbreaking five-set loss to National University last week, improved to a 10-1 record— enough to punch their sixth straight Final Four ticket dating back to Season 79.

Saavedra led the charge with 28 kills on 44 attempts and added an ace, steering FEU to its 12th consecutive victory over UP— a streak that began in 2017.

“What coach told us was to always be ready even before the game starts. That mindset helped us, especially in those tough moments where we had to chase the game again,” said Saavedra, whose clutch hitting helped weather UP’s reverse sweep attempt.

The decisive fifth set was tightly contested, with both teams locked at 10-all before UP briefly pulled ahead thanks to a sharp attack by Nigerian wing spiker Olayemi Raheem and a costly center line fault by Mikko Espartero.

But FEU showed championship poise. Setter Ariel Cacao found the hot hands of middle blockers Charles Absin and Lirick Mendoza, while Saavedra’s off-the-block hit flipped the lead back in their favor, 13-12.

Espartero, who earlier committed an error, bounced back just in time—sealing the win with an out-of-system kill and a well-timed block to complete FEU’s comeback.

“Our connection really held up in that fifth set,” said head coach Eddieson Orcullo. “UP had the edge for most of it, but what’s special about this group is their readiness for any situation and their love for each other.”

Mendoza and Congolese import Doula Ndongala chipped in 15 points apiece for FEU, combining for 25 attacks and five blocks. Espartero finished with 16 points on top of six digs and six receptions. Captain Jelord Talisayan added five markers and 10 receptions.

Cacao orchestrated the offense with 25 excellent sets and an ace, while libero Vennie Ceballos impressed with 29 excellent receptions and six digs.

FEU will aim to strengthen its bid for a twice-to-beat advantage when it faces Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday, April 9, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Meanwhile, the loss dropped UP to 3-8, eliminating the Fighting Maroons from Final Four contention alongside the University of the East and Adamson University. The Maroons have now missed the semifinals for six straight seasons.

Raheem carried UP with 25 points, while rookie Tommy Castrodes delivered 17 points and had 19 receptions and seven digs. Angelo Lipata added 11 points, and playmaker Angelo Aballe recorded 22 excellent sets.

UP returns to action on April 13 against De La Salle University at the Araneta Coliseum.