By Andrei M. Barrantes

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws wrapped up their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 women’s volleyball elimination round stint with a 21-25, 19-25, 22-25 season sweep against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs tonight, April 24, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. 

The Lady Tams succumbed to quick errors early in the first set, widening the gap of scores between the two squads. Despite Morayta Volleybelle Faida Bakanke connecting on every attack attempt early on, the service errors and superior blocking by NU buried FEU, 21-25.

The Morayta squad showcased cleaner offense in the second set, benefitting from Alyzza Devosora’s down-the-line attacks. However,  the Lady Bulldogs were kept afloat by Lady Bulldogs Vange Alinsug and Alyssa Solomon.

FEU was not able to match NU’s scoring, falling in the second set 19-25.

In the final set, green-and-gold Open Spiker Gerzel Petallo converted on better looks, keeping the Lady Tams at striking distance against NU. 

Unfortunately, FEU continued to struggle with their receptions and floor defense, evident in their 24 excellent digs to NU’s 41.

Despite crawling from behind to cut the lead to two, Alinsug’s crosscourt kill ended the elimination round of the Lady Tamaraws, 22-25.

In a post-game interview, Head Coach Manolo Refugia wasted no time to mourn the loss and focused on the post-season challenge ahead:

“Okay naman, natapos ‘yung second round ng 9-5 [pero] kinapos lang sa last game, pero mahaba pa ‘yung time para mag-prepare ulit, mapag-aralan pa, mapakalma pa yung sarili, [at] makamove-on agad para sa darating na Final Four ay ready [kami] (I think it was okay, we finished the second round with a 9-5 record, but fell short in the final game. But we have a long time for preparation, for studying, for calming ourselves, and for moving on from this loss so that when the Final Four comes, we will be ready),” he said.

Tagaod also spoke on the preparations the team must make in order to ensure a fruitful postseason run.

“‘Yung sa amin lang ay trabahuhin talaga namin. Kung gugustuhin man namin na manalo talagang pukpukan sa ensayo tapos talagang disiplina sa katawan. ‘Yun naman ang importante kasi ‘yung katawan namin ang magiging puhunan namin ( Our mindset is we really have to work for it. If we want to win then we have to go all-out in practice and discipline our bodies. That’s the important thing after all because our investment is our bodies),” she added.

Bakanke steered the Lady Tams with 14 points on 10 attacks and three blocks, followed by Tagaod and Petallo who both chipped in nine each.

FEU’s scoring was contrasted by NU, who had four Lady Bulldogs scoring double digits in Belen, Solomon, Alinsug, and Erin Pangilinan.

The Refugia-led squad finished their Season 86 elimination round with a 9-5 win-loss record and will await the conclusion of the second round to see who they will match up agains in the Final Four.

(Photo by Karch Rafael/FEU Advocate)