By Aimerose C. Atienza

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws Team Captain Jelord Talisayan mentioned that the green-and-gold squad can still improve their individual skills and their maturity on court after dropping another win in the close second-round matchup against the top-seed National University (NU) Bulldogs in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 men’s volleyball tourney.

“It was a very good game and still sila ang (they are the) defending champion[s]. Improve pa namin ‘yung individual skills namin at ‘yung maturity (We will improve our individual skills and our maturity),” he said in an interview with FEU Advocate.

The Morayta-based team extended their losing skid to three after a four-set defeat against the defending champions, 26-28, 21-25, 28-26, 23-25, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City earlier today, April 16.

FEU gained momentum in the first set after NU's unsuccessful block touch challenge in the 16-19 rally but failed to maintain the tight lead in closing the frame, 26-28.

The Tamaraws clinched another extended set in the third frame to push the match into four sets but failed to finish strong as they closed the game with a tough loss.

Talisayan also expressed that the team came short despite their eagerness to put another win in the column. 

“Sobrang eager namin manalo kanina, kinapos lang talaga sa huli pero andu’n na, malayo na at malayo pa (We were so eager to win earlier, we just came up short in the end, but we’re there, we went far and still far from the goal),” he stated.

Green-and-gold spiker Mark Calado continued to showcase caliber performance after tallying 28 points from 24 attacks, two blocks, and two service aces, while Talisayan chipped in 17 markers from 15 attacks and an ace.

The Rei Diaz Jr.-led squad now holds a 6-5 win-loss and will try to stop the bleeding in their next game against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on April 19 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

(Photo by Karch Rafael/FEU Advocate)