By Marcus Isaac D.G. Bandong

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws Esports notched a playoff spot after their second win in a row, toppling the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 13-8, 13-11, in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Valorant tournament earlier today, May 9, at Gateway 2 Quantum Skyview in Quezon City.

FEU got their first win from a 13-10, 13-8 sweep against Adamson University yesterday, May 8.

The Morayta-based squad started their match today on offense in the map Split with their respective agents, Andro Lapinid as Breach, Mark Bastes as Tejo, Breinan Lim as Cypher, Rafael Balleza as Omen and Jaden Ladines as Yoru. For the Diliman-based squad, they started with Tejo, Omen, Cypher, Reyna, and Raze.

To start off, Tamaraw Ladines got an easy four kill round through a slow-push strategy, 1-0.

Despite the strong start, the first half of the match was still a tug-of-war of points on both squads, with Ladines capping off the first half with four kills, 7-5.

In heroic fashion, Lapinid finished off the Fighting Maroons after an impressive three kills to cap off the first map, 13-8.

The Breach user was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match as he put up an impressive 25 kills, 10 deaths, and seven assists. 

The second match featured the map Lotus. In addition, the green-and-gold squad started on offense yet again and with the same lineup for the second match while UP shifted their lineup to Tejo, Breach, Neon, Omen, and Viper.

However, after their strong finish in the first match, the Tamaraws succumbed to a 0-5 deficit to the Fighting Maroons.

In a thrilling fashion, Belleza's tactical rotation to A-site delivered the first ace for the green-and-gold squad in the whole tourney, 8-3.

This impressive play served as a momentum shift, as FEU was able to retake UP in seven consecutive rounds, giving them a cushion, 10-8.

Unfortunately, the Diliman-based squad was able to regain the lead through three successful pushes, 10-11. 

In a nail-biter finish, the Morayta-based squad got back to their groove and was able to retake the site and the lead to cap off the match with a 3-0 run, 13-11.

After a grueling second match, in-game leader Bastes was named the MVP as he put up 23 kills, 16 deaths, and seven assists.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, the team captain was thankful that his teammates still believed in his calls despite being down, 4–8, in the second game.

"Nag-stick kami sa plan, despite na natambakan kami nung first half, 'yung mga teammates ko, naniniwala pa rin sila sa calls ko. Thankfully lahat ng calls ko, aside from sa tatlong rounds na nanalo sila, tumama naman, kaya thankful ako sa mga teammates ko, (We stuck to our plan, despite being down in the first half, my teammates still believed in my calls, aside from the three rounds [UP] won, that's why I'm thankful for my teammates", the second game MVP said.

Bastes also stated that they took advantage of how teams see them after a winless campaign last season.

"Tinake advantage po namin knowing na 0-6 last season 'yung FEU, kasi, sa mata ng iba, kami 'yung worst na team, kasi feel ko [nagka-stereotype] po sila, kaya nagulat sila, masiyado kaming in-underestimate, so nabigla lang talaga sila pagdating sa laruan namin (We took advantage of our 0-6 record last season, because in the eyes of others, we are the worst team, that's the stereotype for them, they got overwhelmed, they underestimated us, I think they just got stunned with our play),” he shared.

Now with an unblemished record of 2-0, FEU will look to continue their hot streak against the University of Santo Tomas Teletigers tomorrow, May 10, at the same venue.

(Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)