By Leiniel A. Santos

Former Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Jude Garcia valued the Tamaraw culture as he was named as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference last Friday, May 10, at the Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila City.

“For me, ‘yung work ethic at culture na meron kami sa FEU Men’s Volleyball Team (MVT). Sa’min kasi iba din ‘yung natatak nilang disiplina at work ethic kasi pag sinabing ensayo, ensayo talaga (For me, the work ethic and culture we have at FEU MVT. Their discipline and work ethic are also different from us. Because when you say practice, it is really a practice),” he said in an online interview with FEU Advocate.

The five-foot-eleven open spiker dominated the league as the third-best spiker with a 45.51% success rate, second-best server with a 0.27 success rate in service aces, second-best scorer with 182 markers and top the blocker with a 0.83 average per set. 

With his beach volleyball experience, the former Tamaraw also contributed bigtime on the defensive side, ranking eighth in receptions with a 49.06 success rate.

Garcia’s last individual award was during the UAAP Season 81, where he was named the second-best spiker.

The former Morayta-based athlete also mentioned other FEU alumni’s toughness and dedication to playing. 

“Kahit saan ka magpunta ‘once a Tamaraw always a Tamaraw,’ iba ‘yung tapang na pinapakita hindi lang ako, lahat ng alumni ng FEU MVT makikita mo talaga ‘yung dedication na pinapakita nila sa trabaho nila (No matter where you go, 'once a tamaraw always a tamaraw.’ The courage shown is different, not only me, but all the alumni of FEU MVT, you can really see the dedication they show in their work),” he added.

Three former Tamaraws also bagged individual awards in the league, with Cian Silang as the best setter, Greg Dolor as the best outside hitter, and Peter Quiel as the best middle blocker.

Together with the Criss Cross King Crunchers, Garcia lost the championship match against the Cignal HD Spikers.

Bryan Bagunas and Joshua Umandal were part of the Champion team, led also by FEU alum JP Bugaoan.

(Photo courtesy of Jude Garcia)