The FEU Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — Far Eastern University flexed its might over the University of Santo Tomas to open its UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball campaign.
The Lady Tamaraws triumphed over the Tigresses, 25-19, 16-25, 25-14, 25-20, during their Saturday evening matchup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Gerz Petallo had 15 points with four receptions to lead FEU to its opening-day win, but the third-year ace deflected the credits in their hard-earned win to her teammates.
“Hindi po isa lang, hindi dalawa lang yung nagbuhat ng team,” she said after the contest. “Yun po ang pinaka factor kaya kami nanalo.”
Also solid were Faida Bakanke (16 points), and Jean Asis (14 points), but standing out in their four-set turnaround were Chenie Tagaod (10 points) and Jaz Ellarina (6 points).
The Morayta-based squad ended the match with a 12-to-4 run in the fourth set after trailing, 16-13, all thanks to the collective efforts of Petallo, Tagaod, and Ellarina, and according to the returning FEU coach Tina Salak, this was a result of her squad’s in-game adjustments.
“Nung third at fourth set, nabalanse na namin yung strategy namin,” said Coach Tina. “Naging maganda yung output dahil sa adjustments. May mga jitters din, pero nakuha pa rin. Tinrabaho namin tong first game na ‘to,” she added.
Despite this statement win over the Season 86 finalists, however, Salak emphasized that there is still a long way to go before the Lady Tams can say that they have shown continuous growth.
“Kailangan namin ibalik yung championship spirit,” she emphasized. “Mahirap yung pinagdaanan nitong past two years, pero nag gain pa rin kami.”
On the other hand, the undermanned Tigresses finished with 13 points, seven digs, and five receptions, while providing her help were Margaret Altea and Reg Jurado who both scored 10.
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