By Fibby Ann Mercado

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws absorbed their first heartbreak against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers, 19-25, 14-25, 25-27, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tourney earlier today, February 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

In the first set, the green-and-gold squad stayed within reach behind timely hits from Lovely Lopez and Gerzel Petallo, keeping the score close at 11-11.

However, Lady Spiker Shevana Laput began to take over midway through the set, sparking a decisive run that widened the gap to 12-20.

The Morayta-based volleybelles showed late resistance with Petallo’s block point at 19-24, delaying the set point. But a service error on the final rally sealed the opening set in favor of the green-and-white squad, 19-25.

At the start of the second frame, the Tamaraws fell behind Laput’s consecutive hits and a block from Angel Canino, 1-4. 

After struggling early, a quick attack from Faida Bakanke trimmed the deficit to 11-15, keeping FEU within striking distance midway through the set.

Alyzza Devosora fired a service ace at 14-24, saving one set point before Canino closed the frame for the green-and-gold squad, 14-25.

The Lady Tamaraws mounted their strongest stand in the third set, taking an early 3-2 lead behind Clarisse Loresco’s spikes, staying neck-and-neck with the Lady Spikers. 

The green-and-gold squad extended their advantage to 16-12 with crucial points from Petallo and Bakanke, but Canino fought back with a quick attack, tying the score at 16-16. 

The green-and-gold volleybelles regained momentum late, with Lopez delivering back-to-back points to lead 23-21. However, the Lady Spikers rallied, erasing the lead and eventually sealing the set, 27-25.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, Lady Tamaraws team captain Petallo reflected on the team’s performance in the last set despite the loss, highlighting their determination and mindset.

"I think talagang naging diesel kami sa game na ‘yon, kasi nga ang tagal uminit kasi nga first game na. Ang tagal nag-reset, ang tagal lumaban, pero 'yun nga, nagpakita naman kami na even though down kami in two sets, lumaban pa rin kami in the last set (I think we really became diesel in that game, because it took a long time to warm up since it was the first game. It took a long time to reset and to fight, but that’s it, we still showed that even though we were down in two sets, we still fought in the last set),” she said.

Petallo also emphasized the team’s lapses and how refining them could help the team secure wins in their upcoming games.

"Kailangan namin magdahan-dahan, and set our goals pa talaga. ‘Yung mga kulang namin kanina, kailangan pa namin i-train, gano’n, like sa pasa. ‘Yung pasa talaga kanina is very low, kaya kailangan namin ‘yun i-training, i-overload nang overload hanggang sa makuha namin ‘yon (We need to take things slowly and really set our goals. The areas where we fell short earlier still need training, especially in passing. Our passes earlier were really low, so we need to train them, over and over again until we get them right),” the team captain added.

FEU struggled on scoring as Petallo was the lone double-digit scorer with 11 markers, while Loresco and Jaz Ellarina added eight and six points, respectively.

Standing at a 0-1 win-loss record, the Lady Tamaraws will look to get their first win against University of the East on Wednesday, February 18, at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

(Photo by James Neil Tamayo/FEU Advocate)