By Dwyane Harry L. Cabrera 

Still in Final Four contention, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws survived a crucial game with a reverse sweep against the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles, 22-25, 23-25, 25-12, 25-21, 15-10 in the University Athletic Association in the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tourney earlier today, April 22, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. 

In the opening set, the Lady Tamaraws trailed by five, but managed to trim the deficit to two before the technical timeout, 6-8.

Despite being the first to reach the 21-point mark, the Morayta-based squad’s 13 unforced errors cost them the set, 22-25.

In the second set, the green-and-gold volleybelles were unable to fend off AdMU’s offensive attacks, putting them at a further disadvantage, 23-25. 

Eager to stay alive during the third frame, FEU banked on their grit to lead as largely as 12, 18-6.

To continue their offensive onslaught, Kyle Pendon delivered back-to-back service aces, with an attack from Mitzi Paningin to close the set, 25-12.

Early in the fourth frame, the Morayta-based squad capitalized on their momentum with a 10-1 blitz led by Gerzel Petallo and Pendon, 12-5.

With the Katipunan-based squad closing in, the Lady Tamaraws quickly surged back with a 5-2 sprint to equalize the set, 25-21.

Going into the final set, Petallo anchored the green-and-gold squad’s offense to take the early lead, 8-5.

The green-and-gold squad traded points with Ateneo midway through the set, 10-9. Fortunately, FEU blitzed a 5-1 play to seal the win, 15-10.

Petallo delivered a double-double performance of 17 points from 14 attacks and three blocks, with 11 excellent receptions.

Also producing double-double performances are Margarett Encarnacion, who tallied 15 digs and 12 receptions, while Lovely Lopez contributed 13 markers and 26 excellent receptions.

During the post-game conference, Pendon shared how she stepped up to fill the roles of her seniors.

“In-embrace ko talaga ‘yung role ko nung nawala si Ate Faida [Bakanke]. Parang [kinailangan] ko mag-step up para sa team para makatulong sa mga seniors (I embraced my role especially when Faida was out, I felt the need to step up for the team to help my seniors),” she stated

On the other hand, green-and-gold head coach Tina Salak shared the need for other players to step up amid unexpected outcomes.

“‘Yun nga ‘yung diniscuss ko kanina nung first set.‘Di gumana ‘yung game plan namin and Tin [Ubaldo] had to be subbed out kasi sumakit ‘yung tuhod. Ayon nga, ‘yung naging lesson sa amin [na] kailangan may mag-step up (That is what we discussed earlier. During the first set, our game plan did not succeed and Tin had to be subbed out due to knee injury. That became our lesson, that somebody needs to step up),” she shared.

Now we wait

As of writing, the Lady Tamaraws’ semifinal fate is still undecided. If National University (NU) wins against University of Santo Tomas (UST) today, a playoff match will occur between FEU and UST for the remaining spot in the Final Four. 

Otherwise, the Morayta-based squad will automatically be eliminated.
(Photo by Melvin James Urubio/FEU Advocate)