FEU DN Steel bounced back from back-to-back losses with a commanding 25-17, 25-13, 25-18 victory over Kondohgumi Hyogo in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference semifinals at the FilOil EcoOil Arena on Sunday, December 8.

The win snapped the Ultras’ two-game skid and kept their finals aspirations alive, improving their record to 1-2. They now face a must-win match against Savouge on Friday, while hoping league heavyweights Cignal HD Spikers or Criss Cross King Crunchers don’t exceed two wins to remain in contention.

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Attacking Precision and Resilience

FEU DN Steel displayed superior attacking, capitalizing on Hyogo’s errors to dominate the match. Dryx Saavedra led the charge with 14 points, including 11 attacks, while middle blocker Lirick Mendoza contributed 13 points. Team captain Jelord Talisayan anchored the defense with 11 excellent receptions and added three aces to his nine-point haul.

“We just have to fight. Even though we’re young, we can compete,” said head coach Eddieson Orcullo, noting the team’s growth and emphasizing the importance of reducing errors and improving composure on the court.

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Late Push Secures the Sweep

Unlike the dominant first two sets, the Ultras needed a strong finishing run in the third frame to seal the match. After Kondohgumi Hyogo closed the gap to 16-18, FEU responded with a 7-2 run, capped by Amet Bituin’s crosscourt kill to secure the victory in 79 minutes.

“Sobrang importante ng panalong ito. Goal pa rin namin ang manalo ng championship (This win is very important. Our goal is still to win the championship),” said Saavedra, reflecting the team’s determination to overcome challenges in the semifinals.

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Hyogo Struggles to Keep Pace

Kondohgumi Hyogo, composed of university players from Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture, slid to 0-2 in the semifinals after consecutive straight-set losses to Savouge and FEU. Despite Kaito Onomichi’s 11-point effort and contributions from Ryouma Kakimoto (seven points) and Kouma Nakamura (five points), Hyogo struggled against the Ultras’ power and athleticism.

The Japanese team will face another tough challenge against the Cignal HD Spikers on Wednesday.

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What’s Next for FEU DN Steel?

As they prepare for their decisive clash with Savouge, Saavedra stressed the importance of improving communication and minimizing lapses during crucial moments. “Kailangan ma-improve ang communication namin… saka dapat pag pumalo, talagang pumapatay (We need to improve our communication and ensure our attacks are decisive),” he said.

With momentum on their side, the Ultras aim to stay in the race and advance to the finals with a chance to claim the championship.