By Joaquin Luis E. Quesada

Despite pushing the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons to five thrilling sets, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws bowed down, 12-25, 22-25, 26-24, 29-27, 11-15, in the first round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 84 women’s volleyball tournament last May 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Lady Tamaraws were down 0-2 sets, they mounted a comeback by winning sets 3 and 4 to push the Fighting Maroons into a deciding fifth set. UP were up 3-11 before FEU sliced the lead to just three points, 9-12.

However, UP’s Alyssa Bertolano sealed the game through a combination play.

“Good thing na nakita ko ‘yung mga players talaga nando’n ‘yung willingness na manalo. Syempre dahil hindi pa ganoong ka-matured ‘yung game [nila], kahit papaano do’n sa dulo, doon makikita (It’s a good thing that I saw my players’ willingness to win. Of course, their game is still not that matured, somehow it can be seen during end game),” FEU Head Coach George Pascua said after the loss.

There is one adjustment that coach Pascua did during the third set, he moved Chenie Tagaod from Middle Blocker to Outside Hitter. 

“Ayun ang adjustment namin, ang kailangan kasi namin may isang… scorer pagdating do’n sa posisyon na ‘yon (That’s the adjustment we made, we needed a scorer on that position),” coach Pascua shared.

Tagaod then added, “dati, inadjust ako ni coach [Pascua] sa outside, tas may mga tuneups po kami na parang hindi ko pa po nakukuha talaga. Pero sabi ko po sa kanya, ‘bigyan niyo ako ng chance coach na mapatunayan ko sa’yo na gusto ko talaga dito, patunayan ko sa’yo na makaktulong ako sa team’ (before, coach Pascua adjusted me to outside, then there were tuneup games that I didn’t understood. But I said to him, ‘give me a chance coach to prove that I wanted here, and proving that I can be a help to the team).”

Tagaod led the way with 18 points, Jean Asis chipped in with 15 points off 10 attacks, four blocks, and an ace. While skipper Lycha Ebon added 10 markers.

With this loss, FEU is now sporting a 0-2 win-loss card and they are tied with Adamson University and Ateneo de Manila University at the bottom of the barrel.

The Morayta spikers will face the University of the East Lady Warriors on Tuesday, May 10 at the same venue.

(Photo by Juan Pablo Parian/FEU Advocate)