By Angel Joyce C. Basa

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws Gerzel Petallo and Chenie Tagaod pivoted a five-set win against University of the East (UE) Lady Red Warriors, 22-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-27, 15-11, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 women’s volleyball tourney earlier today, February 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Player of the Game Petallo scored a total of 18 points out of 14 attacks, three blocks, and a service ace, along with nine digs and nine receptions. 

During a post-game interview, Petallo shared how the five-set match was a result of everything they trained for.

“It pays off po, ‘yung lahat ng pinagtra-trainingan namin, kasi sobrang pinagtra-trainingan talaga namin lahat ng games namin. So medyo overwhelmed po [ako] kasi nga nagawa namin ‘yun, nagawa ko ‘yun, we did our best talaga (It pays off, everything that we trained for, because we really train hard for all our games. So I am very overwhelmed because we were able to do that, I was able to do that, we really did our best) ,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tagaod scored 16 points out with 14 attacks, one block, and an ace despite missing out the first half of the first set.

The Lady Tamaraws were also able to seal the win with the help of foreign student-athlete Faida Bakanke who produced two of her 14 big points during the final set, including the crosscourt finisher.

In the same interview, FEU Head Coach Manolo Refugia explained why the game was hard fought for both teams.

“Naging hard ‘yung game gawa ng both teams [ay] galing sa talo, si UE galing sa talo sa UST, kami galing sa La Salle game, kaya gustong parehong bumawi kaya naging maganda ‘yung laban, mataas ‘yung emosyon (The game was hard because both teams came from losses, UE came from a loss against UST, we came from a La Salle game, that's why both were eager to win so the fight was good, the emotions were high),” he stated.

On the other side, UE’s Casiey Dongallo set a new record for the 30 points out of 30 attacks for the opposing team.

The Morayta-based volleybelles are now at a 2-1 win-loss record and will face the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses next Sunday, March 3, at the same venue.

(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)