By Aimerose C. Atienza

Despite delivering on both attacks and blocks, the errors made by the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws led them to suffer a three-set sweep defeat against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses, 23-25, 20-25, 21-25, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament opener last May 5 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City.

The collegiate tournament for the volleybelles once again commenced after two years of no volleyball action due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the second set, the green-and-gold squad had a chance to steal the momentum after creating a 12-three run to tie the set at 15. However, FEU’s unforced errors and UST’s powerful attacks cut them short.

The Lady Tams produced a total of 28 attacks, seven blocks, and six service aces in the game, but these were not enough to stop the fiery Tigresses led by Eya Laure, who produced a game-high 14 points, from claiming the victory for their first matchup of the season.

FEU Head Coach George Pascua still expressed a positive note towards the Lady Tamaraws’ performance as he saw the potential of the team.

“Proud ako sa mga ladies kasi nagperform sila nang ayon doon sa system namin, though may mga konting lapses pero syempre, it’s a process. Knowing naman ‘yung team namin nasa transition pa rin kami pero proud kami sa kanila, nakita namin ‘yung potential nila sa first game pa lang so hopefully, by next game maka-adjust kami (I am proud of the ladies because they performed according to our system, though there are some lapses but of course, it’s a process. Knowing our team, we are still in a transition, but we are proud of them, we saw the potential during their first game. So hopefully, we can adjust by the next game),” Pascua said.

Team captain Lycha Ebon led the Morayta volleybelles with nine points coming from seven attacks and two service aces. Sophomore Nikka Medina also produced eight points from eight attacks.

The rookie-filled lineup of the Lady Tamaraws will continue to seek its first win of the tournament against the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons on May 7 at the same venue.

“Titibayan ko pa po ang loob ko maging isang role model para sa mga bata kasi alam kong ako ‘yung huhugutan nila ng lakas sa loob ng court (I will show more fortitude as a role model for the kids because I know that I will be their source of strength inside the court),” Ebon said.

(Photo by Andrea Joy Gonzales/FEU Advocate)