Far Eastern University fended off a determined challenge from the University of the East, securing a 25-23, 25-19, 25-20 sweep to notch its second straight victory in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Led by Gerzel Petallo, Chenie Tagaod, and Mitzi Panangin, the Lady Tamaraws ignited their first winning streak of the season, improving to a 3-2 record and claiming solo third place in the eight-team field.
Playing the second match of a grueling three-game stretch in a week, the win also allowed FEU to break free from a four-way tie for third place with De La Salle University, Adamson University, and the University of the Philippines, all of whom held 2-2 records.
As of publishing, the Fighting Maroons were preparing to face the second-seeded University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses at 4:00 PM.
“Looking forward, siyempre mas maganda yung ganitong winning trend. Nag-a-eye kami makapasok ng Final Four, kaya the rest of the remaining games, maipanalo namin. Pero hindi magiging madali ‘yon lalo’t against Adamson and La Salle,” said FEU head coach Tina Salak.
“So medyo mabigat, pero kakayanin.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Tied at 10-all in the third set, the Lady Tamaraws found their rhythm at the perfect moment. They mounted an 8-2 run, capped by an ace from Petallo and back-to-back quick attacks from Panangin to establish an 18-12 cushion.
UE fought back with three consecutive attacks from Khy Cepada to trim the deficit to 21-19, but Petallo responded with two off-the-block hits. A Panangin quick attack and a Tin Ubaldo ace followed to seal the victory for FEU in just one hour and 23 minutes.
The Lady Tamaraws also staged a comeback in the second set, rallying from a 9-13 deficit to take a commanding 2-0 lead. The set ended on two double-contact errors from the Lady Warriors and an off-speed hit by Petallo.
A similar scenario unfolded in the opening set, where FEU overturned a 22-23 deficit to clinch the frame, thanks to a Panangin running attack, a crucial block from Congolese spiker Faida Bakanke, and another off-speed hit from Petallo.
“Worth it yung pagod namin. Sobrang laking preparation din nito para sa upcoming games namin, especially next game namin na against Adamson,” Salak added.
“Magiging malaking motivation ito sa mga bata, and of course, gusto rin namin i-improve pa kung ano yung kulang today kasi marami pa rin talaga lapses.”
Petallo finished with 12 points on 11 attacks and one ace while also contributing eight excellent digs and six excellent receptions.
Tagaod added 11 points along with five excellent digs and five excellent receptions, while Panangin matched her output with 11 points, including eight attacks, two aces, and one block.
Alyzza Devosora chipped in nine points, delivering four attacks, three blocks, and two aces, along with two excellent digs and two excellent receptions.
Ubaldo orchestrated the offense with 13 excellent sets and also tallied five points on two aces, one attack, and one block.
The Lady Tamaraws will next face Shaina Nitura and the Lady Falcons on Saturday, once again at the MOA Arena.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, UE remains winless at 0-5, marking its worst start in UAAP women’s volleyball since Season 85 in 2023, when the team lost all 12 of its matches.
Cepada paced UE with 14 points, seven excellent digs, and four excellent receptions. Meanwhile, Van Bangayan added 13 points on 12 attacks and one ace, along with three excellent digs and one excellent reception.
The Lady Warriors will aim for their first win of Season 87 against La Salle on Saturday at the same venue.
