Before the start of the highly-anticipated UAAP Season 87 Volleyball Tournament, let us take a trip down memory lane, look back at the tournament’s past champions, and know what these legends are doing decades after their triumph.
After their runner-up finish against the mighty University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses in Season 69, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws entered Season 70 with one goal in mind – a championship.
At the end of the elimination round, the Adamson University Lady Falcons, the Lady Tamaraws, and the Golden Tigresses were all tied with identical 12-2 win-loss records. For the second-seed playoff, the Lady Tamaraws won against the Lady Tigresses, 24-26, 25-19, 25-15, 25-20. The Lady Falcons got a bye because of the set differential after the elimination round.
The Lady Adamso then reverse swept the Lady Tamaraws for the first-seed playoff with a grueling five-set win, 23-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-12.
In the semifinals, the Lady Falcons made quick work of the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles with a quick three-set win, 25-18, 26-24, 25-16. In the other bracket, the Lady Tamaraws and the Golden Tigresses went toe-to-toe with the Morayta-based squad eliminating the defending champions in five sets, 25-19, 25-19, 15-25, 21-25, 15-9.
In the best-of-three finals, the Lady Falcons drew first blood behind the heroic acts of Angela Benting. In game one, the Lady Tamaraws ran out of gas as the Lady Falcons denied a comeback, 23-25, 25-20, 26-24, 24-26, 15-7.
In the second game, the Lady Tamaraws forced a do-or-die match with a four-set win, 25-18, 16-25, 25-10, 25-21. In the do-or-die game three, the match went on to a fifth and deciding set. In the last set, the Lady Falcons ran out of gas as Wendy Anne Semana orchestrated the offense headlined by Rachel Anne Daquis and Maica Morada.
The Lady Falcons were then composed of Angela Benting, Rissa Jane Laguilles, Jackie So, Janet Serafica, Jill Gustillo, Michelle Segodine, and Lizlee Ann Gata, under head coach Minerva Dulce-Pante.
Aside from the Semana, Daquis, and Morada, the last volleyball champion team from the Far Eastern University included April Jose, Rose Anne Taganas, Shaira Gonzalez, Josephine Cafranca, Anne Camille Abanto, and Cherry May Vivas, under the helm of Nes Pamilar.
Rachel Anne Daquis
Once upon a time the face of Philippine volleyball, Rachel Anne Daquis is one of the only two volleyball players that got their jersey retired – another being De La Salle University Lady Spikers legend Manilla Santos.
During her time with the Tamaraws, Daquis led the team to one championship and two runner-up finishes. She then played for the Philippine Army Lady Troopers as their long-term guest player, before joining several clubs such as Petron Blaze Spiker, and Cignal HD Spikers. Daquis also suited up for the Philippine national team, playing in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, where she was featured in several newspapers in Singapore.
At 37, Daquis is still active in professional volleyball as she recently signed with the Farm Fresh Foxies.
Wendy Anne Semana
Hailed as the Most Valuable Player, Wendy Anne Semana may not be the tallest setters out there but she perfectly orchestrated the offense of the Lady Tamaraws throughout the whole season.
After winning her only championship with the Lady Tamaraws, Wendy played for the Philippine Air Force Lady Jet Spikers for a long time, and for the PLDT High-Speed Hitters in the last two years of her career.
Semana announced her retirement from volleyball in December 2023, saying she’s “proud of everything I’ve done, experienced, and contributed to the volleyball community.”
Maica Morada
If the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses has Mary Jean Balse manning the net, the Lady Tamaraws have the same girl in Maica Morada, who is not only a scoring machine but full of swag as well.
Morada was awarded the Rookie of the Year in Season 69, and just one year after, she helped her team to become the UAAP champion. After her collegiate career, Morada played for the Petron Tri-Activ Spikers and the Cignal HD Spikers.
In December 2017, Morada stepped away from the limelight as she formally moved to Australia.
Cherry Vivas
When the superstars graduated, Cherry Mae Vivas carried the Lady Spikers in UAAP Season 72, where she was awarded as the Season Most Valuable Player and Best Scorer. Unfortunately, her might did not translate to wins as the Lady Tamaraws settled for fifth place that season.
Vivas became active in professional volleyball, playing for a time for the Cignal HD Spikers. Currently, Vivas is a free agent and is not competing in professional volleyball.
Camille Abanto
Camille Abanto never made a name for herself in indoor volleyball but in beach volleyball, she became the Most Valuable Player in Season 71. She briefly played for the Air Force women’s volleyball team, before transitioning to become a national referee.
Right now, Abanto is still active as a referee in several matches in the Premier Volleyball League.
