Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws seek a bronze medal finish ahead of University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 despite falling short of a guaranteed podium spot at the 2024 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Championship last November 9 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila City.

The Lady Tamaraws’ first two matches in the whole competition served as a jumpstart for what is to come later on in the competition. 

FEU’s middle blockers came out strong in the tourney, as rookie Clarisse Loresco showed out against San Sebastian College - Recoletos Lady Stags, 25-14, 25-19, 25-20. She put up nine points and was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the game.

Continuing the trend, transferee middle blocker Jazlyn Ellarina also made a statement in their second game, finishing with 16 points as the MVP against the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Lady Blazers, 25-17, 21-25, 25-16, 25-19.

However, the green-and-gold dominance was challenged by their next opponent, the Adamson University Lady Falcons, wherein they escaped a thrilling five-set win, 16-25, 25-22, 31-33, 25-20, 15-13, after getting bailed out by Lady Tam veteran Chenie Tagaod who finished the game with 14 points and an MVP title.

Entering the second round still undefeated, the intensity of the Lady Tamaraws prevailed as they quickly swept both the University of Santo (UST) Tomas Golden Tigresses, 25-21, 25-23, 25-23, and the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 25-18, 25-18, 25-19.

This momentum of FEU almost went away after a tough battle against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons as they went toe-to-toe in a grueling five-set match, 25-13, 23-25, 25-19, 22-25, 15-13. Fortunately, outside hitter Gerzel Petallo poured in 12 points in the match to extend their six-game winning streak.

With a clean sweep of both rounds, the Morayta-based squad advanced to the quarterfinals where they once again faced the CSB Lady Blazers.

The Tamaraws still reigned supreme in the quarterfinals, as Tagaod earned another MVP title after contributing a solid 15 points to their 21-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-17 victory. 

Advancing to the semifinals, FEU went up and “rematched” against the team they lost to in the previous SSL National Invitationals, the National University (NU) Bulldogs.

Entering a do-or-die situation, it seemed that all of the green-and-gold volleybelles’ dominance from the previous games dissipated as they struggled to find their footing against the blue-and-gold squad. The match was quickly concluded by NU’s Vange Alinsug and Alyssa Solomon who combined for 32 points, resulting in them being named Co-MVP of the match, 16-25, 25-29, 17-25, 22-25.

While this was their only loss in the whole tourney, it proved to be costly as the Morayta-based squad are now out of championship contention.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, outside hitter Petallo stated that it was a great preseason despite their latest loss.

"The team did really well, through ups and downs. We held onto each other para makamit ‘yung goal. It's a great preseason," she said.

Even so, the Lady Tamaraw acknowledged that they need to improve their connection and understanding of one another for the upcoming UAAP Season 87 starting next year.

"[We need to] build a stronger system and put up a tighter connection with each other, as well as trust and understanding,” she added.

FEU will fight for a podium finish in their knockout battle-for-third against UST on Sunday, November 24, at the same venue.

- Marcus Isaac D.G Bandong
(Photo courtesy of the Shakey’s Super League)