By Angel Joyce C. Basa

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws entered finals contention after trouncing the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Lady Blazers in three sets, 25-16, 25-16, 25-16, in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals earlier today, July 14, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila City.

The green-and-gold volleybelles dominated with an early lead in the first set after producing the first five points courtesy of Alyzza Devosora’s attacks and Jean Asis at the net defense.

FEU continued at the forefront with Gerzel Petallo ending a long rally and leading by as much as nine points to end set one, 25-16.

The second set was a remake of the first with the Lady Tamaraws commanding the scoreboard with four aces and multiple attacks to gain an 11-point advantage over the Lady Blazers.

However, the third set started at the hands of the Taft-based ladies taking their first lead of the match, 0-2.

With a quick response, the Lady Tamaraws were able to stir the lead back to the FEU side and claim the win through an attack by Devosora.

Gerzel Petallo landed the Most Valuable Player of the Match with 14 points out of nine attacks, one block, and four service aces.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, the sophomore spiker shared that the win is an achievement for the hard work and dedication they exerted in the league.

“S'yempre po sobrang saya [ko] and proud of our team kasi sobrang dami rin po naming pinagdaanan and pinaghirapan, and we have this, na-achieve talaga namin ito and pinaghirapan talaga (Of course, I am very happy and proud of our team because we have gone through a lot and worked very hard, and we have this, we achieved this and we worked hard for this),” Petallo said.

On the other hand, head coach Manolo Refugia spoke on their mental preparation for the finals match.

“Kailangan i-prepare lang nang mentally ‘yung mga ladies para prepared kami bukas kasi s'yempre short na ‘yung time para mag-prepare pa physically, ‘yung mga skills, siguro more on mental na preparations [na lang] sa girls para makapag-perform bukas nang maayos (We need to prepare the girls mentally so that we are prepared for tomorrow, because the preparation time is very short to physically prepare the skills, we are more on mental preparations for the girls to perform well tomorrow),” he stated.

Still with a flawless record, the FEU volleybelles are set to face the National University for their first finals match tomorrow, July 15, at the same venue.

(Photo by Ken Harold Hadi/FEU Advocate)