Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws Head Coach Tina Salak stated that the team looks into winning the remaining six games in the second round of eliminations in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.

“Aiming kami sa lahat ng remaining games namin to win, and the reason why kung bakit tayo nag-ensayo [ay] para manalo. Gano’n kami ka-positive (We are aiming to win all the remaining games, and that’s the reason why we train. That’s how positive we are),” she said.

Salak added that the team got a good motivation after sweeping the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in three sets, 25-22, 25-19, 25-20, held earlier today, March 25, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

“Magandang balita ito para sa team, magandang motivation ‘yung win and [in the] coming second round, ‘yun talaga yung aim namin, [it] is to win (This is good news for the team, the win is a great motivation and winning is our aim in the coming second round),” she said.

The Lady Tams came out the gates firing as they took the lead by as much as six points early in the first set due to minimal errors and equal outputs in offense and defense.

FEU stumbled at the 15-10 mark as UP crawled back to a 16-15 score and tied the set at 21, but the Salak-led squad pulled through after a match-point attack from green-and-gold spiker Alyzza Devosora, 25-22. 

The Morayta-based volleybelles had more difficulties pulling away in the second set, but managed to stave off UP after their 18th point and took set two, 25-19.

In the third set, the green-and-gold squad put away the Fighting Maroons with more powerful attacks and a stronger grip on the defensive end as proven by the match point block by player of the game Jovelyn Fernandez.

Fernandez poured in 14 points from 11 attacks, and three blocks, while Chenie Tagaod added 10 points on 10 attacks and Jean Asis chipped in eight markers.

FEU goes up to an even 4-4 win-loss standing as they face De La Salle University on Wednesday, March 29, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City

-Andrei M. Barrantes

(Photo courtesy of The UAAP)