By Leiniel A. Santos

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws Jean Asis and Chenie Tagaod’s combined 42 points failed to conquer the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 22-25, 25-18, 19-25, 25-18, 13-15, in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals earlier today, July 15, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila City.

The two Lady Tam volleybelles led the scoring load for the green-and-gold squad with 23 and 19 points respectively.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Asis mentioned that she is satisfied with her performance despite it being not enough to win the game.

“Proud ako sa sarili ko of course, na ‘yung gusto kong mangyari ngayong game is nailabas ko siya. Siguro kulang pa ‘yun para maipanalo ‘yung game ngayon pero alam naman namin na mas babawi kami next game (I'm proud of myself of course, that I was able to show what I want this game. Maybe that's not enough to win the game today, but we know that we will bounce back in the next game),” she said.

Both teams started the match trying to assert dominance over the other inside the court, but NU’s Escanlar’s four service aces successfully notched them the momentum, 5-11.

Fortunately, FEU also made an 8-2 run of their own to force a deadlock, 13-13.

Despite the Lady Bulldogs’ seven errors, the Lady Tams still failed to win the opening set due to Arah Panique’s two consecutive points from an attack and a block, 25-22.

Panique continued to score early in the second set with six points even before the second technical timeout.

But with the green-and-gold’s Chenie Tagaod replacing the quiet Faida Bakanke, the Lady Tamaraws clawed back in time to force a momentum swing.

Tagaod’s seven points in just the second set lit up the scoreboard to tie the match, 1-1.

The Morayta-based squad then started giving four early free points to the Jhocson-based team, but Tin Ubaldo was still able to maintain all of her hitters’ drive to score.

However, the UAAP’s reigning Most Valuable Player Bella Belen was able to contain Tagaod’s attacks which strengthened NU’s defense.

FEU missed to catch up and dropped the third set, 25-19.

Lady Tamaraw Jean Asis then stepped up big time with nine fourth-frame points to force a deciding set, 25-18.

Both teams showed alternate periods of dominance, but the Jhocson-based squad came out on top, 13-15.

Adjusted opposite hitter Tagaod shared that despite not being included in the first six, she is ready anytime the coaches call her.

“Kaming nasa labas, talagang ready kami anytime na tatawagin kami. Happy naman kasi nabigay ko ‘yung best ko ngayon, kinapos lang talaga pero alam naman namin kung ano ‘yung kaya ng team (Us waiting on the bench, we are surely ready anytime we are called. I'm happy because I gave my best today, we just came short-handed but we know what the team is capable of),” she shared.

Petallo and Ellarina also scored double digits with 11 and 10 respectively.

The Lady Tams will try to bounce back and extend the best-of-three finals series against the Lady Bulldogs tomorrow, July 16, at the same venue.

(Photo courtesy of Gladhemer Pillejera/Tams Media)