By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
Far Eastern University-Diliman finally broke into the win column, snapping its two-game skid with a 25-14, 25-15, 25-19 sweep of University of the Philippines Integrated School in the UAAP Season 89 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament on Friday at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
It was a challenging start for the Baby Tamaraws, who finished as runners-up last season. But the straight-set victory over the Fighting Maroons should provide a much-needed boost in confidence as they continue to work on the finer details of their game.
“Kailangan lang namin siguro mag-focus dun sa mga ginagawa namin kasi masyadong marami kaming ini-error. Siguro yun yung kailangan naming mas i-improve pa. Maganda naman ‘yung ginalaw ngayon ng mga bata, pero sana, kung ano man ‘yung kulang pa namin, sana ma-improve pa,” said FEU-D head coach Joanne Bunag.
“Sana magtuloy-tuloy na kasi galing kami ng dalawang talo. Sana itong unang panalo namin, magtuloy-tuloy na hanggang sa madala namin doon sa second round. Maraming games pa, malayo pa, mahaba pa ang season.”
The Baby Tamaraws quickly built a 16-6 advantage in the third set, their biggest lead of the frame, after a three-point run capped by back-to-back kills from Joeyana Bongo.
FEU-D remained in control from there, with Nigerian standout MJ Udeagbala sending the Baby Tamaraws to match point at 24-15.
UPIS, however, fended off four match points, capitalizing on two FEU-D attack errors and a pair of attacks from Anya Callo to stay alive. Udeagbala finally broke through on the fifth attempt, drilling the match-winning kill.
Udeagbala powered FEU-D with 14 points, tallying 10 attacks and four blocks in the 67-minute affair. Diosa Perez chipped in nine points, while Bongo added eight.
Portia Asistio kept the Baby Tamaraws’ offense in rhythm with nine excellent sets, while Querstine Paragas anchored the backcourt with 14 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions on 11 attempts.
“Siyempre, ang una munang goal namin pumasok muna kami dun sa Final Four. Parang last season, ganun din naman ginawa namin, tinrabaho lang namin,” said Bunag, as FEU-D looks to build on its silver-medal finish from last season.
“Sabi ko nga dun sa mga bata, ang goal muna natin, pumasok sa top four. Ngayon, after ng top four, tsaka na namin tatrabahuhin makuha ‘yung pinaka-goal namin. Alam naman natin, lahat naman siguro ng teams gusto talaga mag-champion.”
Niña Abad paced the Junior Fighting Maroons with 10 points, including eight attacks and two aces.
With the victory, FEU-D improved to 1-2 and joined the three-way tie for fifth through seventh place.
UPIS, meanwhile, dropped to 1-2 after suffering its second straight loss following a season-opening victory over University of the East.
