By Angel Joyce C. Basa

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws failed to surpass the undefeated University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses’ in a five-set thriller, 25-22, 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 7-15, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 women’s volleyball tourney today, March 3, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The green-and-gold team had the upper hand in the first half of the first set after Mitzi Panangin powered through four attacks to catch up to the golden tigresses.

FEU started pulling away after UST produced 14 unforced errors during the second set.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, Chenie Tagaod shared how she felt after losing to UST despite their two-set advantage.

“Syempre nasaktan [kami] kasi nando’n na kami, pero ‘yung sinabi ng coaches na simula n’ong umalis si coach T, ang laki ng inimprove namin, sobra as in, sobrang laki raw ng inimprove namin. And ayun nga, hindi man sa amin ngayon pero ‘yun ‘yung laging sinasabi ni coach T na hindi dapat namin madaliin kasi dadating at dadating daw ‘yon (Of course we were hurt because we were already there, but the coaches said that after coach T left, we improved a lot. And right now, it may not be for us but like coach T said that we shouldn't hurry because it will soon come),” she said.

UST standout Xyza Gula produced 13 points off the bench in the fourth and fifth sets to bring the favor to the black-and-gold team.

Tagaod also spoke on the things they needed to improve upon in the do-or-die fifth set.

“Nagkulang lang talaga siguro kami ‘yung dapat buo pa rin kami sa times na ‘yon pero alam namin, tatrabahuhin namin siya, i-wowork namin siya para kung babalik man kami do’n sa sitwasyon na ‘yon, at least alam na namin kung ano ‘yung gagawin namin (We lacked on being a whole team during times like that but we know, we will work on it so that when that situation happens again, at least we know what to do),” she added.

Three Lady Tamaraws came in double digits with Chenie Tagaod and Jean Asis producing 15 points each and Faida Bakanke with 11 points.

The Morayta-based volleybelles are now at a 2-2 win-loss record and will face the National University Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday, March 6, at the same venue.

(Photo by Raph Bautista/FEU Advocate)