After dropping their opening assignment, the FEU Lady Tamaraws quickly regrouped and responded with a dominant straight-sets victory over the UE Lady Red Warriors, 25–20, 25–14, 25–14, in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
FEU Lady Tamaraws Deliver Command Performance
UE showed signs of life in the third set, grabbing a slim 8–7 lead at the first technical timeout. However, FEU answered with a decisive 8–1 blitz to turn a one-point deficit into a commanding 16–8 advantage. From there, the Lady Tamaraws tightened their grip on the match and cruised to their first win of the season.
“Siguro ‘yung lagi nila sinasabi sa amin nila coach, ‘yung slow start namin, and mas ma-polish namin ‘yung serve-pass kasi mostly doon kami nawawalan ng rally pag nawawalan kami ng pasa and service. ‘Yun ‘yung mas pinagpo-focus-an namin,” said Jaz Ellarina after the game, as head coach Tina Salak and assistant coach Manolo Refugia did not attend the press conference.
“Ngayon, pinaliwanag nila sa akin na hindi lang palo ang gagawin ko, kailangan kong mag-commit sa net sa blockings. Hindi siya magagawa overnight, kaya process talaga siya. Months and until now, nahihirapan pa rin ako. Willing ako to accept the pressure na maging isang leader at inaasahan nila ako sa blockings,” she added.
Ellarina and Faida Bakanke led FEU with 11 points each. Gerzel Petallo chipped in 9 markers, while Lovely Rose Lopez and Christine Ubaldo combined for 15 points.
KC Cepada paced the Lady Red Warriors, who also lost their debut this season, with 9 points, while Nessa Bangayan added 8. Beatrix Zamudio, Princess Nogueras, and Angel Lynn Pepino combined for 10 markers.
The FEU Lady Tamaraws brace for a tough challenge against defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs on Saturday, February 21, at 3:00 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Meanwhile, the Lady Red Warriors aim to recover as they take on the Adamson Lady Falcons earlier that day at 1:00 p.m. at the same venue.
