Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws failed to capitalize on an early first-set lead against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 19-21, 16-21, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 women's beach volleyball tourney at the Mall of Asia Beach Volleyball Sandcourt in Pasay City last November 23. 

The Lady Tamaraws started out strong as they led the game by three points, 17-14, but the Lady Bulldogs conducted a seven-two run to snatch the first set.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, FEU Team Captain Gerzel Petallo cited pressure as the main reason for their collapse in the latter part of the first set. 

"Syempre parang na-pressure din kasi parang hinahabol na nila kami pero okay lang naman ‘yung nangyari do’n kasi ‘yung start namin medyo hustle din pero medyo nagrelax [kami] ‘yon. Pero sana, mag-improve pa kung ganon (Of course, it felt like we were under pressure because it seemed like they were catching up, but what happened was okay because our start was a bit of a hustle, and that [we] relaxed a bit. But I hope we will improve on that)," Petallo said.

Entering the second set, FEU struggled as NU pulled away with offspeed plays and good floor defense which ended the match in two sets.

Petallo also mentioned that finishing strong should be the point of improvement for the beach volleybelles of Morayta, especially as they play stronger teams in the collegiate league.

"’Yung kailangan talaga namin is yung panapos kasi nga palagi na yun nangyayari eh like kami ‘yung nauuna pero hindi kami yung natatapos, parang kami yung nawawala kahit kami naman ‘yung angat sa score. So yun, dapat may panapos talaga kami (What we really need is the ability to close the game because that always happens, it's like we're in the lead but we can't seem to hold on to it. It's like we get lost even though we were ahead. So that's it, we really have to close the game)," she stated.

The green-and-gold sand volleybelles fell to a 1-3 win-loss record and will try to add more wins in their card against the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons and the Adamson University Lady Falcons on Saturday, November 26 at the same venue.

-Andrei M. Barrantes

(Photo courtesy of The UAAP)