The Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws pulled off an upset win against the De La Salle University Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
With the upset win, the Lady Tamaraws forced a three-way tie between them, the Lady Spikers, and the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses with an identical 9-5 win-loss record. The Golden Tigresses lost their last game in the eliminations against the National University Lady Bulldogs.
The Lady Tamaraws and the Golden Tigresses will have a playoff for the second seed and the twice-to-beat advantage. The Lady Bulldogs are already assured of the first spot, while the Lady Tamaraws are in the fourth spot.
Here’s everything you missed from the last weekend of eliminations of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
22
Christine Ubaldo of the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws had 22 excellent sets in their upset 25-20, 28-26, 20-25, 25-23 victory against the De La Salle University Lady Spikers on Saturday, April 26. In comparison, La Salle’s Julyana Tolentino only had 13.
Gerzel Petallo led the team with 19 points in 16 attacks, two aces, and a block, while Jazlyn Ellarina contributed 13 points in nine attacks, three blocks, and an ace. Faida Bakanke and Chenie Tagaod recorded 10 points apiece.
For the Lady Spikers, Angel Canino scored a game-high 25 points in 22 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Shevana Laput contributed 12 points. Baby Jyne Soreno added 11 points.
After the game, Lady Tamaraws head coach Tina Salak admitted that she was surprised with how her players performed on court. She said, “Ewan ko, parang may mga magic yata itong mga player ko, e, ginamit ang mga magic wand. Overwhelming ‘yung feeling kasi every since 2019 nga. Overwhelming talaga ‘yung nangyari ngayon.”
The Lady Tamaraws last won against the Lady Spikers in Season 81 in 2019.
The Far Eastern University will face the twice-to-beat National University Lady Bulldogs in the semifinals. Meanwhile, the De La Salle University will be in a virtual best-of-three series against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses.
72
The National University Lady Bulldogs recorded 72 attack points in their hard-fought 23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 15-9 victory against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses on Sunday, April 27.
Team captain Bella Belen led the team with 26 points in 24 attacks and two blocks, with 17 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions. Alyssa Solomon contributed 23 points in 20 points, two blocks, and an ace, while Vange Alinsug added 19 points.
For the Golden Tigresses, Regina Jurado scored a team-high 19 points in 17 attacks, a block, and an ace. Angeline Poyos contributed 15 points in 12 attacks and three aces, while Maribeth Hilongo added 12 points. Margaret Altea had 10 points.
After the game, Belen and Solomon applauded their teammates after their hard-fought victory against their archrivals since high school. Belen said, “I’m very happy kasi nakita kong lumaban ‘yung teammates ko kahit na ganon kapagod. Actually, sobrang nakakapagod talaga ‘yung game and siyempre gusto rin nila ng UST manalo pero ‘yung teammates ko hindi ko nakitaan ng takot sa mga mata nila.”
Solomon added, “Kanina buti na lang lumabas ‘yung lapses namin para alam na namin kung ano ang ia-adjust sa mga training namin and dapat alam na namin kung gaano kami dapat kabilis mag-adjust.”
The Lady Bulldogs will have a twice-to-beat advantage as they take on the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the semifinals. Meanwhile, the University of Santo Tomas will be in a virtual best-of-three series against the De La Salle University Lady Spikers.
22
In her last game in her rookie year, Shaina Nitura scored 22 points as she led the Adamson University Lady Falcons to a 25-13, 25-21, 25-18 victory against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Sunday, April 27.
Nitura had 18 attack points, two blocks, and two aces. May Ann Nuique contributed 13 points, while Frances Mordi added 11 points.
For the Fighting Maroons, no players scored in double digits as Kianne Olango was limited to seven points in five attacks.
After the game, Lady Falcons head coach JP Yude looked forward to Adamson’s bright future. He said, “We’re grateful na for next year, may ganon kami na nakukuhaan na grassroots na nagko-continue ng samahan nila. May nawala na isa, pero I know naman na may purpose si Lord sa mga nawawala at dumadating. I know naman na this journey, hindi lang hanggang ngayon ito.”
The Lady Falcons finished their season in the fifth spot with a 6-8 win-loss record, while the Fighting Maroons are in the sixth spot with the same record.
53
Four players from the Ateneo de Manila University combined for 53 points in their 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 27-25 against the University of the East Lady Red Warriors on Saturday, April 26.
Jihan Chuatico led the Blue Eagles with 16 points in 11 attacks, four blocks, and an ace. Alexis Miner and Lyann de Guzman contributed 13 points apiece, while Alexia Montoro added 11 points.
For the Lady Red Warriors, Nessa Bangayan scored a team-high 16 points in 15 points, while KC Cepada contributed 14 points. Kayce Balingit added 13 points, while Riza Nogales had 10 points.
After the game, Blue Eagles head coach Sergio Veloso admitted that his team didn’t play the way he expected them to. He said, “We didn’t play so well technically, but our team never gave up. In the last set, UE had a good opportunity to win, but our team kept fighting.”
The Blue Eagles finished their season with a 5-9 win-loss record, while the Lady Red Warriors are winless in 14 games.
