The FEU Lady Tamaraws have become the first team in UAAP Season 87 to pose a threat to the NU Lady Bulldogs.
As heartbreaking as it was, the FEU Lady Tamaraws nearly ended the NU Lady Bulldogs’ unbeaten start to the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament as they fell in a 15-25, 23-25, 26-24, 23-25, 8-15 thriller at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
The Lady Tams were quick to roar back after a slow first set, even going up two sets to one in the two-hour and 26-minute contest. But even with FEU’s valiant stand, NU’s championship experience still proved to be crucial as they broke the game open in Set 5 to preserve their unbeaten start.
Fourth-year middle blocker Jean Asis showed the way with a team-high 20 points built on 16 kills and three blocks, while Faida Bakanke and Jaz Ellarina chipped in 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
“Syempre matik na masakit na part samin na natalo kami, ahead na kami ng dalawang sets eh tas na-extend pa siya ng fifth. So masakit kasi andoon na, malapit na dapat and makukuha na dapat namin tas natalo pa,” Asis said in a short post-game interview.
NU entered Sunday’s game fresh off clean sweeps against the DLSU Lady Spikers and Ateneo Blue Eagles, only to be pushed to the limit by the Lady Tams. So while they wished that the outcome was different, Asis is confident that her FEU gave it their all against the defending champions in the gutsy contest.
According to league statistician Pong Ducanes, this is also the Lady Bulldogs’ first five-setter since their Round 1 matchup against the DLSU Lady Spikers back in UAAP Season 86.
“Pero at the same time, masaya kami kasi alam naman namin na binigay namin ‘yung best namin, wala kaming pinagsisihan sa ginawa namin, lahat naman kami nag-contribute. Even sa coaches, pati sa players, mula sa bench parang andoon naka-support, so masakit pero masaya,” Asis reflected.
FEU, meanwhile, had split their first two games. They scored a statement win over the UST Golden Tigresses last February 15, only to struggle against the upstart UP Lady Maroons in four sets last February 19.
Libero Marga Encarnacion sees this as a bounce back of sorts for FEU, who were challenged by head coach Tina Salak to pick themselves up after an off-night against the Lady Maroons.
“Kasi pag hindi tayo mag-move on, kami rin naman ‘yung magsa-suffer, maghihirap, so minindset and binanggit sa huddle, mapa-start ‘yung training and kahit na mag-start na ‘yung laro kanina, mindset namin is NU na ‘yung kalaban. Ibigay ba namin ‘yung best namin or magpapa-[apekto] pa kami sa last game?” Encarnacion, who finished with 20 excellent digs, said.
Sunday’s loss also highlighted the FEU Lady Tamaraws’ ability to recover their sense of urgency, especially after their Set 1 performance against the Lady Bulldogs.
“Siguro hindi na namin iniisip kung ano ‘yung gagawin ng other team, so mas nag-focus kami sa gagawin namin na, alam mo ‘yun? Paano namin sila tatalunin…so parang kami, aralin na lang namin kung andon na kami pag nasa kanila na ‘yung bola,” Asis said.
“Pero kung nasa amin na ‘yung bola, wala nang adjust-adjust, wala nang kapa, go lang nang go and paluin mo na.”
And as they try to establish some consistency, the Lady Tamaraws are aware that treating each opponent with respect will be crucial in their rise to contention for the Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Up next for FEU will be another set of feisty squads in the Ateneo Blue Eagles, UE Lady Maroons, the Adamson Lady Falcons, and the DLSU Lady Spikers.
“I-look namin ‘yung every team as same level, na parang ‘yun nga, wag kami bawa’t team [mag-base], kasi minsan may part na nakampante, may part na ganito depende sa team. So siguro maging patas sa bawa’t team para mas maging consistent bawa’t performance,” Asis said.
Banner images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.