FEU Lady Tamaraws go into a wild celebration after turning back UST Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball second round.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Far Eastern University (FEU) reasserted its dominance over University of Santo Tomas (UST) in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Lady Tamaraws swept their head-to-head matchups against the Golden Tigresses for the first time since Season 80, following a 25-22, 26-24, 17-25, 26-24, victory in the second round to improve to a 5-3 record, tied with UST.
“Mataas yung expectation ko talaga kasi binibigyan ko na sila ng higher responsibility this second round,” FEU coach Tina Salak said. “Masyado na rin mataas yung at stake regarding sa positioning ng mga teams … so [m]agandang start to for the second round and looking forward for more.”
READ: UAAP: FEU sheds dark horse mentality as it plays like a contender
FEU coach Tina Salak, Gerz Petallo, and Faida Bakanke after completing an elimination round sweep of UST. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/JnDSlnA7oQ
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 23, 2025
Faida Bakanke led the FEU charge with a game-high 22 points built on 18 attacks and a pair of blocks and aces. Gerz Petallo had an all-around performance of 12 points, all but one from kills, with 15 excellent digs.
“I am so happy with my teammates, how they gave their effort and also how the coaches adjusted to give us [instructions] how to adjust,” Bakanke said.
“Proud po ako sa team namin, sa effort talaga na binigay kasi gusto ko po talaga namin manalo,” Petallo said.
Helping in the Tamaraws’ bounce-back win, which ended the first round with a straight sets loss to La Salle, was Jaz Ellarrina who added 12 points, three from blocks, as Tin Ubaldo distributed 22 excellent sets.
FEU’s liberos were on lock on the defensive as Margarett Encarnacion caught 11 excellent digs while Julianne Monares blunted the service game of UST with 13 excellent receptions.
READ: UAAP: FEU turns back UST for opening win in women’s volleyball
The Tamaraws claimed the first two sets highlighted by a late-game run in the second frame to gain control of the matchup. After a third-set hiccup, FEU climbed out of a 9-15 hole in the fourth to stun UST.
Reg Jurado paced the Tigresses with 20 points on top of 15 excellent digs while Maribeth Hilongo finished with a career-high 17 points spread out from 13 kills, three blocks and an ace other than 11 excellent digs.
Angge Poyos had 14 points, 19 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions, which went down the drain. Cassie Carballo tossed in 23 excellent sets highlighted by 14 excellent digs.
FEU aims to boost its Final Four bid opposite University of the East on Wednesday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Santo Tomas battles another strong contender in La Salle, which is looking to blemish the perfect run of National University as of posting time, on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.