By Angel Joyce C. Basa

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws dropped to the fourth spot after facing defeat against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers in straight sets, 17-25, 20-25, 22-25, at their last round one game in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women's volleyball tourney today, March 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Morayta-based volleybelles showed clear signs of struggles right off the first set with DLSU establishing an early lead, rattling the FEU squad, 1-7.

The green-and-gold team tried to keep up with the pace, utilizing frontline offense with middle blockers Mitzi Panangin and Jean Asis for seven points but were still unable to take charge until the set ended at 17-25.

The Lady Tamaraws opened the second frame at a consistent close lead and opposite spiker Faida Bakanke leading with five attacks before the first technical timeout, 8-7.

Halfway through the set, the Lady Spikers returned the lead to their favor despite Jazlyn Ellarina’s off-the-bench attempts to close the gap, 20-25.

The green-and-gold team remained hopeful in the third set by dominating early on until after the first technical timeout, 12-9.

From then on, the Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Spikers maintained deadlock scores with both teams putting up their best shot. Despite FEU’s attempts, DLSU took the win with a three-point lead, 22-25.

Bakanke led the scoring department of the Morayta squad with nine attack points, while Gerzel Petallo tallied eight markers from six attacks, a block, and an ace.

FEU ended the first round eliminations with a 4-3 win-loss record putting them at a solo fourth spot in the leaderboard of UAAP women's volleyball. 

(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)