Gerrzel Petallo and the FEU Lady Tamaraws in a UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament game against UST Golden Tigresses. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Far Eastern University clinched its first victory of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament after beating University of Santo Tomas , 25-19, 16-25, 25-14, 25-20, on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Lady Tamaraws gave coach Tina Salak a winning return, outworking the Golden Tigresses in the two-hour affair that capped off the opening day of the volleyball competition.
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SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament first round
“Ang tagal ko din inantay na makabalik. But here, yung direction ng team andoon naman then going against UST, ang tagal namin pinag aralan, two weeks. Hindi naman nasayang yung effort namin and lahat ng mga sacrifices ng mga bata, collectively, lahat, pati sa mga coaching staff,” Salak said.
Faida Bakanke finished with 16 points for FEU, 14 coming from attacks as Gearzy Petallo contributed 15 points, a third off blocks.
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FEU Lady Tamaraws’ Faida Bakanke. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Yung masasabi ko lang po talagang teamwork po talaga. Hindi po isa lang, hindi po dalawa lang yung nagbubuhat ng team kundi kami po lahat nagko-contribute yun din po yung pinaka-big factor kaya po kami nanalo,” Petallo said.
Jean Asis chipped in 14 points and Chenie Tagaod 10 points as Tin Ubaldo tossed 12 excellent sets to help open the Lady Tamaraws’ campaign with a win despite committing a lot more errors than the Golden Tigresses, 30-19.
READ: UAAP: Coach Tina Salak looks to make most of intact FEU core
Despite falling short in the second frame, there was no lack of motivation for FEU to keep on working for the victory.
UST managed to stay with the Tamaraws in the fourth set and even led for some time until Tagaod tied the game at 19-all and FEU never allowed the Tigresses to regain control.
Jaz Ellarina scored two before rookie Clarisse Loresco had a service error, 21-20. Tagaod scored off the block, Ellarina stopped a Pia Abbu attack in the middle as Margaret Altea sent FEU to match point after a crucial attack error.
A Regina Jurado attack that went out of bounds ended the match.
Sophomore UST hitter Angge Poyos led the Tigresses in the sorry loss with 13 points while Altea and Jurado contributed 10 points each. Detdet Pepito caught 15 excellent digs.
FEU looks for a second win when it faces University of the Philippines on Wednesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre while UST aims to right its course next Saturday when it battles University of the East in the same San Juan City venue.
