By Vince Matthew Jaramilla

After an underwhelming conclusion at last place in Season 86, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws achieved a silver podium finish in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s 3x3 basketball tournament earlier today, May 4, at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.

Earlier in the day for the semifinals, the Lady Tamaraws barely outlasted the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, only getting past them by one point, 13-12.

The 7-1 second-chance point and 3-0 block disparities also helped give the Morayta squad the edge in the back-and-forth battle.

Maxene de la Torre produced the highest scoring output with five points, while Yvette Villanueva and Shane Salvani had three markers each.

FEU eventually matched up with the Kacey Dela Rosa-led Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles for the championship.

The lead flipped on each side to start the game, with the green-and-gold squad relying on their shooting and speed and the blue-and-white shirts utilizing their size.

After leading at 8-7, the Lady Tamaraws unfortunately went on a 1-6 slump, being subject to Blue Eagles Dela Rosa’s paint presence and Kai Oani’s efficient shooting.

Fortunately, the Lady Tamaraws’ perimeter offense behind Salvani’s back-to-back twos gave the spark to force a 17-17 deadlock with two minutes left. This became FEU’s last hurrah, however, as Dela Rosa led Ateneo’s final push to the 21-point win mark and the women’s 3x3 crown.

Salvani stood out with nine markers and five boards. On the opposite end, Dela Rosa delivered an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double.

The Morayta-based squad did not only improve their placing in 3x3 basketball, the team also notched their first-ever podium finish since the sport’s first installment in the UAAP in Season 80. 

In an interview with FEU Advocate, mainstays from last year’s roster, Salvani and de la Torre, highlighted the impact of their achievement.

“It’s a very big achievement kasi nga from last year, eight-seed, ta’s ngayon, umabot kaming finals. Ayun nga, sabi nina coach, grabe ‘yung impact nito sa UAAP and sa women’s basketball,” de la Torre said.

Salvani then attributed their trust in head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy as one of the main reasons for their current success.

“Sabi ni Coach Rai, ipakita namin ‘yung bagong FEU ngayon, eh, so ginawa lang namin. Lahat ng gusto ipagawa sa’min ni Coach Rai, sinunod namin. Naniwala kami, nagtiwala kami sa plano ni Coach Rai—sa mga coaches (Coach Rai told us to showcase the new FEU so we just did it. Everything she made us do, we followed. We trusted, we believed in the plan of Coach Rai—of the coaches),” she stated.

In the awarding ceremony, Tamaraw Janrey Pasaol was hailed as the men’s 3x3 Rookie of the Year.

Moreover, the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws notched their second consecutive boys’ 3x3 title the game prior contra National University Nazareth School.

(Photo courtesy of Jannah Hilario/FEU Athletics)