Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw Christine Ubaldo steers the offense to take the victory against the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles, 19-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-22, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 women’s volleyball tourney earlier today, April 4, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Player of the Game also tallied three attacks and two aces.

In a post-game conference, Ubaldo expressed her fulfillment for their execution in the game.

"Super proud po kasi 'yung trinabaho namin sa training, naipakita namin (I'm super proud because we were able to show what we worked on in our training)," she said.

The match began with both teams going back-and-forth, reaching an 11-all deadlock midway through the first set.

However, Ateneo managed to pull away with a 6-0 run led by Lyann De Guzman's three service aces.

The Morayta-based squad fell short of coming back from the built-up lead, surrendering the set.

During the second frame, the close exchange continued until the second technical timeout.

Off the timeout, Lady Tamaraw Faida Bakanke stepped up to account for five of her eight attacks in the set to even out the match.

Miscues began to riddle the green-and-gold volleybelles in the third frame, fighting for the ball on defense. 

Fortunately, Ubaldo's even ball distribution led the Lady Tams to maintain the lead on their side throughout.

In the fourth set, sloppy execution came from the Morayta-based squad despite being closer to the win, going on a rough start down 3-8.

A better green-and-gold squad came off the first technical timeout with their coordinated offense to record an 18-8 attack lead, claiming the victory.

Bakanke and Chenie Tagaod recorded 16 markers each, a career-high for the former, closely followed by Gerzel Petallo with 15 of her own.

Looking back on the team's performance with pride, head coach Manolo Refugia acknowledged their efforts in the match.

"Syempre, proud ako kasi 'yung pinag-aralan namin [nung break], although may lapses, natrabaho pa rin talaga (Of course, I'm proud because although there were lapses, we got to execute what we've studied during the break)," he said.

With the first win of the second round, the Morayta-based squad will aim to ride on their momentum in their match against the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons on April 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

-Vince Matthew Jaramilla

(Photo by Ralph Mari Castro/FEU Advocate)