Tina Salak has never been afraid to gamble on her first-year players, putting her full trust in them whenever the situation calls for it.
Middle blocker Clarisse Loresco, who has seen spot minutes as an opposite hitter, started multiple games for Far Eastern University. Meanwhile, setter Karyll Miranda was often called upon whenever starting playmaker Tin Ubaldo encountered challenges on the court.
In the Lady Tamaraws’ final game of the eliminations against the powerhouse De La Salle Lady Spikers, it was Lovely Lopez’s turn to shine.
Lopez, a homegrown rookie out of FEU-Diliman, embraced the spotlight off the bench in the third and fourth sets, helping FEU secure a 25-20, 28-26, 20-25, 25-23 victory to enter the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Final Four on a high note Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Thankful po kasi po pinagtiwalaan po ako ni Coach T sa posisyon na binigay niya sa akin, nagtiwala po siya sa akin na gagawin ko yung best ko. Siguro po ‘di ko lang po talaga inexpect na magiging ganoon yung laro ko. Parang tinurukan ako ng adrenaline,” said Lopez.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The 19-year-old outside spiker finished with eight points off the bench, none bigger than her final two, which also served as the last two points that sealed the victory for the Lady Tamaraws.
Anticipation was key for Lopez on her seventh point, as she perfectly timed an over-received ball by La Salle for an easy putaway that brought FEU to match point, 24-22.
Although La Salle pulled one back, Lopez once again rose to the occasion. She unleashed a massive crosscourt kill straight past an unprepared Angel Canino to clinch the win, pushing FEU to a 9-5 record at the end of the elimination round.
“For me po, siguro malaking part po sa na makasama sa team, and makapasok sa Final Four, kasi ayun po talaga ‘yung pinagtrabahuhan namin. Siguro masaya ako para sa sarili ko, kasi nakapag-contribute ako,” she shared.
Despite the win tying FEU with La Salle at 9-5 for the third and fourth seeds, the Lady Tamaraws will have to settle for the fourth seed due to an inferior set ratio — even if a three-way tie materializes should University of Santo Tomas fall to National University tomorrow.
This result sets up a Final Four match-up between FEU and the twice-to-beat, defending champion National University.
#WATCH: FEU head coach Tina Salak, along with Tin Ubaldo, Gerzel Petallo, and Lovely Lopez, relive the magical moment after stunning La Salle
Nicole Parallag/Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/M1sAnaeyaD
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 26, 2025
