FEU claims UAAP Women's Volleyball season opener

c/o UAAP Media Team

Games on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena

9 a.m. – Ateneo vs AdU (Men)
11 a.m. – NU vs DLSU (Men)
1 p.m. – Ateneo vs AdU (Women)
3 p.m. – NU vs DLSU (Women)

FAR Eastern University made a resounding statement in its UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball opener, taking down last season’s runner-up University of Santo Tomas, 25-19, 16-25, 25-14, 25-20, Saturday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

After UST dominated the second set, 25-16, to even the match, FEU responded emphatically in the third, racing to a commanding 15-5 lead before closing it out at 25-14.

The Lady Tamaraws then displayed their composure in the fourth, pulling away from a tense 19-all deadlock.

Middle blocker Jazlyn Ellarina stepped up in the clutch, scoring three of FEU’s final six points, while the Golden Tigresses faltered with back-to-back attack errors from Marga Altea and Regina Jurado, sealing the win for the Lady Tamaraws in the match that lasted for two hours and nine minutes.

“Ang tagal ko rin hinintay ‘to na makabalik. But here, yung direction ng team nandoon naman. Going against UST, ang tagal namin pinag-aralan, two weeks. Hindi naman nasayang yung effort namin,” said FEU head coach Tina Salak, who returned to the helm after serving as a consultant last season.

Congolese opposite spiker Faida Bakanke led four Lady Tamaraws in double figures, finishing with 16 points on 14 attacks and two blocks.

Gerzel Petallo added 15 points, tallying eight attacks, five blocks, and two aces, along with four receptions. Jean Asis chipped in 14 points, converting 12 of her 23 spike attempts.

Chenie Tagaod contributed 10 points, seven digs, and four receptions, while Ellarina made an impact in just two sets, scoring six points.

“Sobrang laking factor nung support system na nakuha ko sa mga coaches and teammates ko. Kahit third set ako pinasok, yung tiwala nila ganon pa rin, buong-buo. So parang ako, bakit ako magda-doubt sa sarili ko eh yung buong team nga pinagkakatiwalaan ako?” said Ellarina, who transitioned from an opposite spiker at National University to a middle blocker for FEU.

Tin Ubaldo glued things together for the Lady Tamaraws, tossing 12 excellent, while Jewel Encarnacion got 11 digs.

Despite committing 30 errors, the Lady Tamaraws controlled two key scoring areas, outclassing UST in both spiking (54-37) and blocking (15-7).

FEU will face fellow opening day winning University of the Philippines next on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Meanwhile, UST’s Angge Poyos led the Golden Tigresses with 13 points but struggled with efficiency, converting just 11 of her 47 spike attempts.

Rookie Altea and Jurado added 10 points apiece in the loss.

UST will aim for its first win next Saturday against University of the East, also at Filoil.