Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws were bested in straight sets in their final round one game against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 21-25, 9-25, 18-25, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 women’s volleyball tourney held at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City earlier today, March 18.

The Lady Tamaraws trailed early into the first set but made a five-point run to take the lead, 18-17, but their momentum was halted by the Lady Bulldogs to snatch the set win, 21-25.

During the second set, the Morayta-based volleybelles fell by as much as 16 points and collapsed with NU’s strong blockings to limit their offense, 9-25.

FEU entered the third set seeking redemption as evident by an early 16-13 lead, but were ultimately subdued by a one-12 run by the defending champions NU, 18-25.

Lady Tamaraws Chenie Tagaod and Jean Asis took the lead with only six points each.

In a post game interview with FEU Advocate, Head Coach Tina Salak acknowledged that the championship pedigree of the Lady Bulldogs was hard to shake off and proved to be detrimental to the competitive mindset of the Lady Tams.

“Going against [the] champion team NU, medyo hirap kami. Kahit na alam namin na kaya, it’s a mental hill na nag-tritrigger sa mga bata na nag-give up agad without even trying pa pero this time siguro ma-realize nila na lahat naman possible if we can exert more effort dun sa laro (Going against the champion team NU, we had a tough time. Even though we know that we can win, it's a mental hill that triggered the kids to give up early without even trying yet but I hope they realize this time that anything is possible if we can exert more effort to the game),” she said. 

The green-and-gold squad fell to a 3-4 win-loss standing to conclude their first round of the women’s volleyball tourney.

-Andrei M. Barrantes

(Photo courtesy of The UAAP)