By Vince Matthew Jaramilla

After an unsuccessful 0-6 exit before the season, Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws Esports claimed a runners-up conclusion after falling against defending champions De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Aces, 10-13, 10-13, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Valorant tournament finals earlier today, May 11, at the Gateway 2 Quantum Skyview in Quezon City.

The Tamaraws completed the finals matchup through a 13-4, 13-10 sweep of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in their semifinal bout earlier in the day. 

Both FEU and DLSU proceeded to the championship match without dropping any series.

With game one on Haven as their map pick, the green-and-gold squad started defensively with Rafael Balleza as Cypher, Breinan Lim as Omen, Mark Bastes as Tejo, Jaden Ladines as Neon, and Andro Lapinid as Breach against the green-and-white team’s Cypher, Omen, Iso, Yoru, and Sova on the attacking side.

An initial slump fell over the Tamaraws as they struggled to limit the Aces’ pushes to the C site, 0-3.

FEU improved their utility usage and positioning on defense to go on a 5-0 streak and snatch the momentum, but another DLSU surge came as the former’s increasing aggression was exploited, 5-7.

After the side switch, the Morayta-based squad capitalized on their possession of the spike to dictate the flow of the match, getting early picks to take the lead at 9-8. 

However, a tactical pause proved vital for the Taft-based athletes, producing a more coordinated defense to force trades, too much for the Tamaraws to overcome, 10-13.

On Split for game two, FEU went with the same agents except for Ladines switching from Neon to Yoru. They went against the Viper-Omen-Raze-Yoru-Fade lineup of DLSU.

Despite the map being the green-and-white pick, the green-and-gold squad took the driver’s seat, highlighted by Ladines’ Yoru’s one-vs-one win contra Xavier Juan’s Fade at 3-1, and a four-to-zero wipe at 4-1.

The Green Aces then called for a tactical pause, but this time around, the Tamaraws’ knack for finding the right trades let them hold onto their lead until a flawless round finish to the first half, 7-5. 

Just like in the first game, a shift in momentum came with the side switch as FEU went winless for four short-lived rounds, forcing them to call for their own timeout.

Off the break, the Morayta gamers were able to take three straight rounds, but could not keep up with the Taft-based contenders’ championship pedigree, succumbing to pressure in the closing rounds, 10-13.

In a post-awarding interview, green-and-gold team captain Mark Bastes expressed his pride for their achievement despite their lack of preparation time and familiarity with each other.

“May one month lang po kami [para] mag-prepare ta’s kinuha lang po kami talaga sa iba’t ibang pinanggalingan… Knowing na ganun… Nakaka-proud lang na nag-exceed [expectations] kami as a team ta’s naka-placement kami sa UAAP (We only had one month to prepare and we had different backgrounds… Knowing that… I feel proud that we exceeded expectations as a team and got a placement in the UAAP),” he said.

The in-game leader also mentioned the lack of support they got, emphasizing their joy in proving everyone else wrong.

“Hindi po kami gaano ini-sponsor-an, ‘yung Valorant team. Kumbaga… [napaka-limited] po ng support sa’min kasi parang the expectation po last season is 0-6 ulit. [We’re] very happy na na-prove namin sila wrong despite na ganu’n ‘yung situation (We didn’t get a lot of sponsors, the Valorant team. Basically… the support we got was very limited because of the expectation last season that we’ll be 0-6 again. We’re very happy that we got to prove them wrong despite the situation),” Bastes added.

He also shared the team’s excitement to compete in upcoming tournaments under AcadArena and the UAAP, and thanked the FEU and Esports community for their support.

FEU Tamaraws Esports’ Season 87 campaign is just beginning, as the NBA 2K and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang squads are set to push for the gold from May 13 to 16 at the same venue.

(Photo courtesy of Jannah Hilario/FEU Athletics)