By Leiniel A. Santos

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws picked up new lessons as they ended as second runners-up in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s beach volleyball tournament held at the Sands SM by the Bay in Pasay City earlier today, November 26.

“Mas marami po kaming natutuhan ngayong season… Natutuhan ko po na importante talaga ‘yung preparation sa game kasi kailangan mo talaga i-kondisyon ‘yung sarili mo bago ka sumalang para mapalabas mo ‘yung tunay na laro (We have learned more this season… I learned that the preparation in game is really important because you have to condition yourself before playing so that you can show your true game),” Melody Pons said in an interview with FEU Advocate. 

Their first match of the final day against University of Santo Tomas (UST) Lady Tiger Sands went unfortunately despite the executed grit, with the team producing multiple attack and service errors.

Bringing in the momentum, an early advantage was made by the Tigers in the second set, 6-12.

Although FEU tried to mount a comeback courtesy of Lovely Lopez’s two consecutive points, they still fell short to force a deciding set by the end of the match, 15-21.

In her first season as a beach volleybelle in college, Lady Tam Lovely Lopez took this setback to also seek improvements coming into their semifinals match against Adamson University Lady Falcons.

“Natutuhan ko na dapat huwag mag-relax lalo na kasi bronze [medal] na ‘yung pag-uusapan… Enjoy lang, then usap sa court, and tiwala sa partner at sa sarili (I learned that we should not relax, especially because we are talking about the bronze medal… Just enjoy, then communicate in court, and trust in your partner and in yourself),” the rookie stated.

The semifinals game easily went to the green-and-gold’s side as they took advantage of the miscommunication of the Falcon duo to close the first set with a six-point gap ahead, 21-15.

FEU did not look back upon entering the second set as an eight-marker lead went their way at 11-3, and Lopez sealed their victory with an attack courtesy of a set by Pons, 21-10.

The Morayta squad’s win meant back-to-back bronze podiums for the season, while National University sat at the top of the standings and University of Santo Tomas settled for silver.

(Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)