MANILA – Far Eastern University downed Ateneo de Manila University, 25-21, 19-25, 25-23, 25-23, Wednesday in the UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City to secure a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four.

Amet Samuel Bituin finished with 17 points on 16 attacks and one ace, and had nine receptions as the Tamaraws stayed on top of the standings at 11-1.

"Yesterday during practice, coach tried to have me start. Even though I was a bit confused, I just trusted the coaching staff and my teammates who supported me even when I was feeling down," Bituin, a product of FEU-Diliman High School, said after the match.

Dryx Saavedra had two attacks, Congolese middle blocker Doula Ndongala scored on a block and Bituin fired an ace to give the Tamaraws a 17-10 lead in the fourth set.

Ateneo rallied behind Jian Matthew Salarzon and MVP frontrunner Kennedy Batas to move within 20-22, but FEU won the next three points, the last one coming from Bituin.

"This season is different from the previous one. We just need to trust again. The moment from Season 86, we've already surpassed that. This season, there's a different level of expectation from our team because of our mindset. We've moved forward from that, we're onto the next," head coach Eddieson Orcullo said after the one hour and 55-minute match.

Lirick Mendoza chipped in 12 points, including a season-high eight blocks, Saavedra had 11 points on 10 attacks, and top rookie Mikko Espartero added 10 points and six receptions.

Ariel Cacao made 26 sets while rookie libero Vennie Ceballos had 23 receptions and six digs for FEU, which will face Adamson University on April 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Amil Pacinio scored 21 points on 18 attacks and three aces while Batas contributed 12 points and 16 receptions for Ateneo, which is now on the brink of elimination with a 6-6 slate.

National University is at second at 10-2 followed by De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas, which have similar 7-4 records. (PNA)