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Source: Anthony Divinagracia, abs-cbnnews.com
-- Perennial contender Far Eastern University turned back a gritty Ateneo squad, 23-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-21, to move on top of the standings with defending champion UST in the 72nd UAAP men’s volleyball tournament last Sunday at the Arena in San Juan.

Nestor Molate fired 25 points, including 21 attacks, 2 blocks and 2 aces, to help FEU match UST’s league-leading 4-1 record going into the Christmas break. He got ample support from Joshua Alcarde and skipper Rodolfo Labrador who tallied 16 and 10 markers, respectively.

Ateneo meanwhile fell deeper into the hole, absorbing its third straight loss to share identical 1-4 cards with National University, which earlier took an 11-25, 19-25, 16-25 bashing from University of the Philippines in the first game.

Andre Pareja scored 15 points built on 13 attacks and two blocks to pace the Eagles while teammates Narciso Intal, Jr. and Duabe Teves added 11 and nine markers, respectively.

The Maroons, who ties University of the East at second place with a 3-2 mark, drew steady firepower from Dominic Lucindo (15 points, 13 attacks) and Mark Sagad (13 points, 10 attacks) to dispose of NU in 54 minutes.

Jan Adorador was the only bright spot for NU, chalking up 12 points all from the attack line.

Back on track

Last Saturday, defending champion UST trashed UE, 27-25, 25-18, 25-15, to stay on top of the men’s volleyball standings.

The lopsided affair boosted UST’s record to 4-1 but importantly erased the stigma of its 23-25, 25-21, 25-27, 20-25 loss against archrival FEU last December 16 which snapped its 21-game winning streak hinged on an unprecedented Season 71 sweep.

Hendry Pecaña and Salvador Depante led UST’s charge with 14 and 13 points, respectively built on 10 attacks each.

UE, which pulled off a 21-25, 29-27, 25-21, 22-25, 15-13 squeaker over Season 71 runner-up UP last December 15, drew 22 markers from Benchard Pedrano and Dominic Estrada but failed to get main man Homer Lauresta into the Warriors’ offensive brew.

Lauresta, who torched UP with 23, could only muster a single hit this time as UST ruled the attack (44-30), block (11-3) and service (5-3) departments to cap the one-hour encounter.

The Warriors now tote a 3-2 card for solo third.