By Krizza Gabrielle Tabora

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws failed to clinch a semifinals appearance after a four-set defeat, 25-16, 20-25, 18-25, 16-25, against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses during their playoffs match in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament earlier today, April 25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

In the opening set, the Lady Tamaraws easily gained momentum over the Golden Tigresses with multiple attacks from Gerzel Petallo, Faida Bakanke, and Lovely Lopez to combine for a 12-3 blitz.

Eventually, the green-and-gold squad claimed the set after capitalizing on an error from the gold-and-white team, 25-16.

During the second frame, the Morayta-based volleybelles aimed to come back from a five-point deficit through Clarisse Loresco’s two spikes, 10-14.

However, FEU’s efforts fell short against UST’s Angge Poyos’ offense, tying one set each, 20-25.

Despite attacks from Kyle Pendon and Petallo, the green-and-gold squad failed to regain their momentum during the third frame, 12-18.

The Lady Tamaraws eventually trailed behind UST with a seven-point deficit and fell short of a scoring comeback after Poyos ended the set yet again, 18-25.

In an attempt to extend their Final Four hopes, Jazlyn Ellarina and Bakanke spearheaded the team’s scoring with several attacks and blocks during the fourth frame, 10-11.

Despite their efforts, FEU eventually fell short of a semifinals bid after Xyza Gula finished the match to deliver UST its victory, 16-25.

Petallo delivered a double-double performance of 14 points from nine attacks and five blocks with 14 excellent receptions, while Loresco tallied 11 markers built on eight spikes, two blocks, and one service ace. 

During the post-game conference, green-and-gold team captain Petallo still saw a silver lining in their Season 88 campaign, using it as a lesson to prepare for the next season.

“Although hindi po kami nakaabot sa Final Four, madami naman kaming natutunan sa games and nakaabot naman kami sa playoffs. Ayun, may mga silver lining [pa rin] this season, ‘yun ‘yung kailangan namin pagtrabahuhan next season (Although we didn’t reach the Final Four, we still learned a lot during the games and we were able to reach the playoffs. So there’s still a silver lining, and that’s what we need to work on next season),” she stated.

This game marked Tin Ubaldo’s final match donning the green-and-gold after playing with the team for five years.

In what was supposed to be their third consecutive semifinals appearance, the Lady Tamaraws ended their Season 88 bid in fifth place. 

(Photo by James Neil Tamayo/FEU Advocate)