FEU Lady Tamaraws celebrate after beating UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Far Eastern University is looking for the stability that the Lady Tamaraws hardly found last season.
They began the trek toward that direction by walloping University of the Philippines, 25-23, 25-21, 25-18, on Sunday in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball.
“We want to maintain our composure throughout the tournament because were inconsistent last year,” said Christine Ubaldo after tossing 14 excellent sets on top of seven points, five digs and a pair of aces. “Winning our first game is definitely a morale booster,” she added.
Gerzel Mary Petallo and Chenie Tagaod profited from Ubaldo’s efforts with powerful shots that practically took the fight out of the Maroons in the first two sets.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round
Locked in a deadlock at 23, Petallo bombed UP with two consecutive hits as the Lady Tamaraws gained headway in the sweep.
The Lady Tamaraws again pulled away early in the next frame, but allowed the Fighting Maroons to swing back through the heroics of Nina Ytang and Jewel Encarnacion.
Tagaod then drove the knife into the heart of the Fighting Maroons at set point off a timely Ubaldo feed.
“I expect to have a bigger role this season. The responsibility is there and it’s quite overwhelming for me as a sophomore,” said Petallo.
FEU coach Manolo Refugia, Gerzel Petallo, and Tin Ubaldo on their strong start. #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/bs7mt1m0Yk
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 18, 2024
She led the way with 16 points, 12 of them attacks, and had four blocks while Tagaod likewise tallied 12 attacks.
“We hope to build on this victory going into our succeeding matches. These games will test our chemistry, their relationship as a team,” said newly installed FEU coach Manolo Refugia Jr.
“We had a great start in every set, but allowed them to come back. It has become a concern,” added Refugia, who replaced coach Tina Salak at FEU’s helm.
The Fighting Maroons were unable to gift their new coach Oliver Almadro a victory after nearly stealing the first set and gamely fought FEU in the next.
But the Lady Tamaraw would have none of it in the third set, completely denying UP another chance to stretch the match while getting additional contributions from Jean Asis and Margarett Encarnacion.
Almadro transferred to the Fighting Maroons after his contract expired with the Ateneo Blue Eagles last season.