Déjà vu loomed large for Far Eastern University as it dropped the third and fourth sets against National University, having surged ahead with wins in the first two frames.
Memories of February 21 came rushing back — a first-round clash where FEU also took a 2-0 lead, only to fall to a heartbreaking reverse sweep at the hands of the defending champions.
This time, however, the ending was different. Lovely Lopez emerged as the hero, delivering eight of her 19 points in a nerve-wracking fifth set that ended 22-20, sealing a hard-fought victory for the Morayta squad.
“Sabi nga po ni Coach Nols (Refugia) na habaan lang yung pasensya kahit na, alam mo ‘yun, nag-e-error ka na, pero patuloy pa rin,” said Lopez after the nearly three-hour match.
“Wala sa mukha namin yung sisisihin yung kasama kasi nga nag-error, pero nandoon yung ibabawi yung kasama kasi nga nag-error.”
Keeping composure under pressure is one thing — finishing it is another.
Lopez was pivotal in those final moments, leveling the score at 14-all and setting the stage for FEU to claim six consecutive match points. Jazlyn Ellarina then delivered the decisive service ace, turning Lopez’s effort into a victorious finale for the Lady Tamaraws.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Beyond individual heroics, it was the team’s collective belief that carried them through.
“Tiwala lang talaga sa kasama and sa program na binibigay ng coaches, and kay God kasi nga, ‘yun nga, sa Kanya kami humihingi ng lakas,” Lopez explained.
“Yung tiwala sa sarili, tiwala sa kasama, and tiwala sa program ng mga coaches.”
Now in her sophomore year, Lopez is stepping up as one of FEU’s key leaders. Her growth reflects the natural progression for student-athletes in the UAAP — embracing greater responsibility with each passing season. For Lopez, today’s win is another step forward, boosted by the support of her teammates and coaches.
“Siguro po, ano lang… Compared to last season, mas naging confident na ako sa sarili ko kasi nga, tinutulungan ako ng teammates ko and coaches ko kung paano makuha yung confidence na ‘yun, lalo na ‘pag yung mga crucial points and crucial games.”
#WATCH: TIWALA LANG TALAGA SA PROGRAM 🐃
Lovely Lopez says FEU’s first round loss to NU only brought the Lady Tamaraws closer together 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/Oo9ddkFgGn
📹 @lorenzodelc /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/x2cHKTJzWg
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 22, 2026
