Coming off a stunning loss to University of the Philippines last Wednesday, title contender Far Eastern University looked poised for a strong comeback.
The Lady Tamaraws pushed the National University Lady Bulldogs — who had dominated their first two matches with straight-set victories — against the wall for the first time in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
After dropping the opening set, FEU responded with resilience, taking the next two to seize a crucial 2-1 advantage over NU.
However, the Lady Bulldogs proved why they are the reigning champions, showcasing their composure under pressure.
Behind the trio of Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Vange Alinsug, NU staged a thrilling comeback, securing a 25-15, 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-8 victory in front of 8,413 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday night.
With the loss, FEU’s pursuit of ending a 17-year title drought took a hit, as the team fell to a 1-2 record, tying Ateneo de Manila University at joint sixth place.
Despite the sting of back-to-back losses, fourth-year middle blocker Jean Asis remained proud of the Lady Tamaraws’ valiant effort.
She firmly believes the team still has what it takes to make a deep run in Season 87.
Asis led FEU’s charge with 20 points, converting 16 of her 31 attack attempts while adding three blocks, an ace, and three excellent digs.
“Syempre automatic na masakit sa part namin na natalo kami, ahead na kami ng dalawang set eh, ta’s na-extend pa siya ng fifth. So masakit kasi andoon na, malapit na dapat at makukuha na dapat namin tapos natalo pa,” Asis told reporters.
“Pero at the same time masaya kasi alam naman namin na binigay namin ‘yung best namin, wala kaming pinagsisisihan sa ginawa namin. Lahat naman kami nag-contribute. Even sa coaches, pati sa players, mula sa bench parang nandoon nakasupport. Masakit pero masaya.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
FEU’s rollercoaster start to Season 87 has been a tale of highs and lows.
They earned a commanding four-set win over last season’s silver medalists, the UST Golden Tigresses, followed by a sweep at the hands of an up-and-coming UP squad. Then came a near-upset of the two-time defending champions.
For Asis, the biggest lesson from this early turbulence is the importance of consistency and trust in the process, especially against a league filled with elite talent.
“I-look namin ‘yung every team as same level. Parang ‘yun nga, wag kami bumase sa kung anong team. Kasi minsan may part na nakakampante, may part na ganito depende sa team. Maging patas dapat kami sa tingin sa bawat team para maging mas consistent yung performance; parang isipan lahat ng team malakas,” the FEU-Diliman alumna explained.
Through it all, the Lady Tamaraws, led by libero Marga Encarnacion, continue to absorb hard-earned lessons — similar to how NU ended their title hopes in last season’s Final Four.
This time, however, those lessons come with added resolve under the leadership of returning head coach Tina Salak, who has instilled a winning mindset in the squad despite the daunting challenge NU presents.
“Like ‘yung kay Coach Nols [Refugia], nung Final Four last year nangyari, parang binigyan kami ng lesson ng NU na kung paano kami mag-iimprove or mag-mature pa sa laro. Binigyan kami ng NU ng ganong learning. Kay Coach Tina, mas pinalawak pa ni coach Tina kung paano kami magpe-perform,” said Encarnacion, who recorded 20 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions in the grueling two-hour-and-26-minute match.
“Sabi ni Coach Tina [Salak] na ‘NU na ‘yung kalaban! NU na, mag-iba na tayo, mag-move on na tayo.’ Kasi pag hindi tayo nag-move on, kami-kami rin naman ‘yung magsa-suffer at maghihirap.”
She went on, “So minindset, and binanggit sa huddle, mapa-start ‘yung training, kahit mag-start ‘yung laro kanina, NU na ‘yung kalaban and ibigay pa namin ‘yung best namin o magpapaano pa kami sa last game. Parang nag-base kami sa mindset namin kay Coach Tina, na kung paano niya kami itaas ulit, ‘yung morale namin.”
