By: Jade Raphael Feliciano
Far Eastern University-Diliman outlasted defending champion National University Nazareth School, in a thrilling five-set match, 25-22, 21-25, 25-20, 14-25, 15-11, on the second day of the UAAP Season 86 Girls’ Volleyball tournament at the Adamson University Gym.
In a dramatic fourth set that set the stage for a decisive fifth set, middle blocker Clarisse Loresco powered the Lady Baby Tamaraws, with setter Christine Ramos leading the way.
The Lady Bullpups made one final rally, cutting the lead to 14-11, but a service error by Francheska Penol sealed the victory for FEU-D.
FEU-D’s head coach, RJay Del Rosario, expressed satisfaction with their win, praising the maturity of his players.
“Sinasabi ko lang sa players, na lumaban lang, at mag focus kahit na NU agad yung kalaban namin, step-by-step lang,” said Del Rosario as the majority of the team that took bronze last season is still with them, headlined by Loresco — last season’s best middle.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines Integrated School made its return to the boys’ volleyball division with a commanding 25-18, 25-20, 25-20 victory over its Katipunan neighbor, Ateneo High School.
The Fighting Maroons last participated in the boys’ tournament during Season 81 and had a 64-game losing streak.
“This is my first UAAP win in the juniors division after seven years,” said UPIS head coach Hans Chuacuco, who has been with the program through thick or thin. “With short preparation, kasi ngayon lang kami nag start. Naubusan rin kami ng players kasi sa pandemic.
“Pero nakapag-recruit pa rin kasi nag convert kami ng basketball players to volleyball players, but we’ll get there,” he continued as their last win came in the final elimination round game of Season 77 (2014-15).
“Nonetheless, I am still proud of the players and how they played. With this win, I will keep them grounded, be humble, and be a good player on and off the court.”
In other games, the Bullpups defeated the UST Junior Golden Spikers in four sets, 25-23, 21-25, 25-21, 25-20, while the girls’ team of UST suffered a defeat at the hands of last season’s runners-up Adamson Lady Baby Falcons, 25-14, 25-23, 25-18.
“First game we did well, pero yung mga lapses namin kailangan pa namin trabahuhin. Pero nonetheless I am very thankful sa Panginoon dahil sa talentong binigay sa mga batang ‘to, at naglalaro na sila uli sa UAAP,” said Adamson head coach JP Yude, who also handles the women’s squad.
With regards to NUNS loss to FEU-D, Yude added, “Ito talaga yung ngayon, kumbaga not all the time nasa top ka, may mga team na makakatalo rin sa kanila (NUNS). Kasi dati expect kapag NU talo na agad kami, pero ngayon may laban na lahat.”
