By Fibby Ann Mercado

Clarisse Loresco continues to eye improvement despite a double-digit performance that led the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws to outlast the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 25-21, 22-25, 25-19, 25-22, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tourney earlier today, April 12, at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila City.

"Dapat hindi pa ako ma-satisfy sa gano'ng galaw ko kasi alam kong meron pa akong kayang gawin, and kaya ko pang angatan ‘yun (I shouldn’t be satisfied with how I performed because I know I can still do more. And I can still improve on that)," she stated in the post-game conference.

Clinching Player of the Game honors, Loresco paced the team with 17 points built on 10 attacks, three blocks, and four aces.

The first set opened with a 7-3 gap. However, FEU struggled as the Fighting Maroons found their rhythm to erase the deficit and tie the score, 11-all.

An attack from Faida Bakanke evened things out again at 18-18. From there, the Lady Tamaraws pulled away to take the frame, 25-21.

The second set was a tightly contested match, with both teams trading points early before the Morayta-based team built a cushion behind back-to-back service aces from Loresco, 7-4.

The Diliman-based squad, however, mounted a strong comeback, 9-11. The set remained neck-and-neck from there, featuring multiple deadlocks.

In the closing stretch, the green-and-gold squad leaned on crucial contributions from Bakanke, Lovely Lopez, and Jaz Ellarina to stay within striking distance, but UP built a late lead to take the set, 22-25.

In the third frame, the Lady Tamaraws strung together a strong run behind attacks from Gerzel Petallo and Kyle Pendon to establish an 8-5 lead.

Despite brief resistance from the Fighting Maroons, the Morayta-based team maintained their momentum with Alyzza Devosora sparking a mid-set surge, 13-11. From there, they continued to withstand UP’s attacks before Petallo sealed the set with an attack, 25-19.

The fourth set opened closely, with multiple early deadlocks before the Diliman volleybelles created separation, 7-11.

The green-and-gold squad steadily clawed their way back, with attacks from Loresco, Bakanke, and Petallo forcing another tie, 16-all.

Keeping the pace, the Lady Tamaraws seized control as Loresco blazed through in the closing stretch, pushing the Tamaraws ahead, 23-20. Petallo brought them to match point, before Ellarina ended the game with an attack, 25-22.

Alongside Loresco, Devosora chipped in a hefty 12 points and 21 excellent receptions, while Ellarina, Bakanke, and Petallo all added 9 markers each. 

FEU head coach Tina Salak expressed how Loresco’s standout performance could not have come at a better time.

“Never too late [ang] lagi ko sinasabi. Kung bad day today or bad game ngayon, there's another day na para ma-improve pa namin ‘yung game niya… Parang nagkaroon din ng identity si Cla [Loresco] na kailangan siya ng team this time (It’s never too late, as I always say. If it’s a bad day today or a bad game, there’s always another day for us to improve her game… It also felt like she developed an identity that the team needs her at this point),” she said.

Standing at a 7-5 win-loss record, the Lady Tamaraws will continue to strengthen their Final Four hopes against Adamson University on Saturday, April 18, at the same venue.

(Photo by Melvin James Urubio/FEU Advocate)