The FEU Tamaraws. UAAP Media

MANILA -- Far Eastern University made sure to keep its unbeaten record intact by taking down winless University of the East, 25-19, 25-17, 23-25, 25-18, UAAP men’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

FEU’s unbeaten run is now currently at 9-0 with reigning champion NU as its next opponent on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Yung second round talaga, lahat ng teams pupukpok para makuha ‘yung match syempre. ‘Yung third set namin medyo talagang malayo lang ang score kaya ang hirap habulin. Buti nakapag cope up kami nung fourth set,” said Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo.

The Tamaraws erased a 19-12 deficit in the third set by the Red Warriors, inching within 23-24, but Isaiah Roca’s off-the-block hit extended the match for UE.

FEU was not to be denied in the fourth frame though as Doula Ndongala and Dryx Saavedra linked up for a 8-2 finisher for the win in one hour and 56 minutes.

“I want to thank my coaches for giving me the opportunity to play. We should not stop despite our undefeated record, we need to focus more this second round,” said the Congolese middle blocker Ndongala, who had a team-high 14 points on nine spikes, four blocks, and an ace.

Ariel Cacao steered the Tamaraws’ offense with 21 excellent sets as Saavedra and Lirick Mendoza made 13 points apiece.

Mikko Espartero also tallied 12 points and 13 excellent receptions in the win.

This ninth loss by the Red Warriors pushed them on the brink of elimination at 0-9. This is also their 16th straight defeat dating back to the second round of Season 86.

New starters Xjhann Camaymayan and Isaiah Roca led UE’s uprising with 15 points each while Raquim Aceron added 11 points and 34 excellent receptions.

UE continues its pursuit of the elusive first win on Sunday as well against University of the Philippines.