DN Steel-Far Eastern University celebrates a point against Kondohgumi Hyogo in the 2024 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference, December 8, 2024 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. PVL Media
MANILA -- DN Steel-Far Eastern University on Sunday snapped a two-game slide in the semifinal round of the 2024 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference, venting its frustration on guest squad Kondohgumi Hyogo.
The Ultras claimed an emphatic 25-17, 25-13, 25-18 triumph against the visitors at the FilOil EcoOil Centre to stay in contention for a medal in the tournament.
Now with a 1-2 record, FEU DN Steel must overcome Savouge on Friday and hope either Cignal or Criss Cross does not exceed two wins. In case of ties, team rankings will be determined using the FIVB system.
"Dapat ilabas lang namin 'yung talagang natututunan namin. Kanina sa first set, yung error namin walo, ang error ng Japan tatlo, so ibig sabihin napakaraming kailangan pang ayusin sa ginagawa namin," said FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo.
After dominating the first two frames, the Ultras needed a late push in Set 3 to complete the sweep.
Kondohgumi Hyogo was within striking distance, 18-16, before DN Steel-FEU won seven of the next nine rallies to take control of the set.
Rookie Amet Bituin hammered the final point on a crosscourt kill. Middle blocker Lirick Mendoza added 13 points, while skipper Jelord Talisayan had nine points built on three aces that went with 11 excellent receptions.
Dryx Saavedra led the Ultras with 14 points, including 11 on attacks.
"Sobrang importante ng panalong ito. Goal pa rin namin ang manalo ng championship," said Saavedra.
KondohGumi, the selection of university players from the Hyogo Prefecture, slid to 0-2 after likewise dropping a straight-set loss to Savouge. The Japanese will take on the Cignal HD Spikers on Wednesday.
For the second straight game, Kaito Onomichi led Hyogo with 11 points, while Ryouma Kakimoto added seven points and nine receptions, and Kouma Nakamura got five points in two sets of play.