Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws recorded their first win in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 84 women’s volleyball tournament against the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 17-25, 15-10, last May 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Despite having a slow start and faulty receptions in the first set, the Lady Tamaraws eager to make their way in the win column ascend to snatch two sets to one lead. Yet, the Lady Warriors are also eager to finally secure the fourth set.

The Morayta Spikers found themselves down 5-8 during the final set, FEU’s Chenie Tagaod spiked four points of the eight-zero run to give a five-point lead, 13-8.

“Medyo nag-relax nung fourth set, sabi ko, sige may ano pa tayo fifth set pero kailangan talagang kapitan nila from service-receive to attack. Kailangan lahat mag contribute sa loob ng court. Ayun, nag-materialize naman siya nung fifth set ([We] got relaxed in the fourth set, I told them, okay, we are [going] to the fifth set but we need to cling on our service-receive and attacking. We need everyone to contribute inside the court. So far, it materialized during the fifth set),” FEU Head Coach George Pascua said after the win.

FEU’s skipper Lycha Ebon was excellent at the defensive end as she posted 15 excellent digs, she also scored 10 points, four of which came from service aces.

Tagaod led the way with 20 points all on attacks, Jean Asis and Karyme Truz both chipped in 13 points apiece.

“‘Yung lagi po na sinasabi sa amin ni coach na kahit rookies po kami ipapakita po namin na hindi po kami lahat bago, na kaya po naming na kahit ano, kaunting panahon lang po ‘yung bond namin pero lalaban pa rin po kami para sa FEU community (That is what coach always tells us that even if we are rookies, we will show that we are not all new, that we can do anything– our bond has only been for a short time but we will still fight for the FEU community),” Tagaod said.

FEU now sports a 1-2 win-loss record and will try to duplicate their win on May 12 against the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Lady Eagles at the same venue.

-Adrian Earl E. Taruc

(Photo courtesy of The UAAP)