The Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws scored another victory to take a step closer in the Final Four after dominating the youth-laden squad of the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament, April 10, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

​After their previous match up last February 16 where the Lady Tamaraws prevailed over the Lady Bulldogs in four sets, the Morayta-based squad played their best performance of the season to taste their first sweep at the expense of NU.

“Three sets kaya wow, ‘di ba? Gawa ng mga beterano kaya na-achieve namin ‘yun (Three sets so I’m like wow, right? It’s all from the veterans that’s why we achieved it),” FEU head coach George Pascua shared regarding the straight-set victory.

Jerrili Malabanan took charge of the match with 10 points, while Heather Guino-o notched a team-high 11 points. Jeanette Villareal and France Ronquillo scored eight and six markers, respectively. Czarina Carandang and Celine Domingo, meanwhile, combined for six points.

“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, dapat sila ‘yung mag-initiate. Maganda ang nangyayari ngayon kasi na-achieve namin ‘yun (As I’ve told them, they should be the ones to initiate. We are having good outings because we were able to achieve that),” Pascua added.

After emerging as the player of the game, the Lady Tam captain Malabanan shared, “Of course we’re happy that it’s our first three sets victory so I think we just did what coach told us in the game, and we celebrated every point to keep our energy going and we did a god job.”

Moreover, co-veteran Guino-o echoed the statement of Malabanan by giving credit to the team’s new found chemistry inside the court.

“Parang ang gaan sa pakiramdam kasi ngayon lang kami nakakuha ng straight sets [win] tsaka parang nagkaroon lalo ng chemistry ‘yung team namin (It feels so good because its our first time to notch a straight set victory, and it’s like the team got additional chemistry),” Guino-o said.

With only two games left in the eliminations, the Morayta-based squad sees this win as motivation as they soon face the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) and defending champions De La Salle University (DLSU).

The green-and-gold volleybelles now hold an 8-4 record and are currently tied at third to fourth spot in the standings with University of Santo Tomas (UST).

-Mark Steven V. Donque