FEU completes first round sweep in UAAP Women's Football

c/o UAAP Media

UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women's Football Standings
FEU 15 (+12)
DLSU 12 (+6)
ATENEO 9 (+2)
UP 6 (0)
UST 3 (-1)
NU 0 (-19)

Men's Matches Thursday at the UP Football Stadium
2 p.m. – UP vs UST
4:30 p.m. – UE vs DLSU
7 p.m. – AdU vs Ateneo

Far Eastern University has claimed all three points in each of its last 17 matches, and that impressive run continued on a fateful Wednesday night.

Jelani Pabuaya ended a spell of missed chances and broke through for a 1-0 victory over De La Salle University, completing FEU’s sweep of the first round of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

The third-year forward finally found the breakthrough with just a minute left in regulation, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to score the game-winner and deny the Lady Booters a share of the spoils.

The result kept FEU atop the standings with a perfect 15 points and a plus-12 goal difference, putting the reigning five-peat champions in prime position to secure one of the coveted Final Four spots. The Lady Tamaraws are three points clear of La Salle, which has 12 points after four wins and this defeat.

"I'm very happy and contented with the result of the game kasi it's not just about the quality of the game, but the concentration of the players," said Coach Let Dimzon.

"As I mentioned to them kanina, kailangan lang nila maging, ano... 'yung objective namin ngayon is to be target-locked. And then they were able to do that, and 'yung tasking with individuals. So they were able to hold those important players ng La Salle, and that's why, ayun na, naging maayos 'yung attacking namin and defending."

Pabuaya and UAAP Season 88 Golden Boot winner Judie Arevalo spearheaded the attack for the reigning four-peat champions, particularly in the second half. However, their attempts either went wide or straight into the hands of La Salle goalkeeper Jessica Pido.

Despite completing a first-round sweep, Dimzon wants to see more creativity and determination from her wards when they get opportunities in front of goal in the second round.

"'Yung character nila, attitude nila in front,” said Dimzon. “Kaya as much as possible, like 'yung mga set pieces, mga trouble situations, so lahat ng mga plays in front of the box or inside the box. So I think 'yun lang—'yung kailangan, 'yung eagerness to receive it, eagerness to score.”

“So I think 'yun lang 'yung nagkukulang sa amin, kasi as I mentioned to them, kailangan laging meron kayong striking mentality na every time you have the chances in front or inside the box, you have to take the opportunity na ma-convert nila into scores," the former national team mentor added.

On the other hand, the Lady Booters had several opportunities to breach the Lady Tamaraws’ defense, with their biggest chance coming in added time.

Dani Tanjangco tried to equalize as the clock wound down, but her effort was eventually cleared by the Lady Tamaraws, who held on to secure all three points.

The match began with a minute of silence in memory of the late DLSU and national team goalkeeper Frances Santos Roces, who passed away on September 22.

FEU ends long skid against UP in much-anticipated meeting with Pre

c/o UAAP Media Team

UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Standings
FEU 3-1
Ateneo 3-1
AdU 2-1
NU 2-2
DLSU 2-2
UP 2-2
UST 2-2
UE 0-5

Games on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena
10 a.m. – AdU vs UP (Women)
12 p.m. – Ateneo vs DLSU (Women)
2:30 p.m. – AdU vs NU (Men)
6:00 p.m. – Ateneo vs DLSU (Men)

Far Eastern University continued to gain ground in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament, catching another big fish in the University of the Philippines with a 90-79 wire-to-wire victory on Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The narratives were aplenty, but the biggest of them all was Kirby Mongcopa and the rest of the Tamaraws getting the better of a familiar face in Veejay Pre, who won the Season 87 Rookie of the Year award with FEU in 2024 before transferring to UP.

Mongcopa came up huge with a game-high 24 points to go with nine rebounds and three assists, leading the Tamaraws to their first win over the Fighting Maroons in seven years and snapping a 10-game losing streak. FEU’s last victory over UP came on October 6, 2019, when the Tamaraws prevailed, 82-79, in overtime during Season 82.

Pre, who is Mongcopa’s best friend, led UP with 16 points and five rebounds.

“We’re just so grateful to be at this moment… Going to year three, we knew there were a season of tremendous improvement and guys were just basically trusting one another, playing off one another, and they’re one with the system and playing on a high level,” said FEU head coach Sean Chambers.

“Masaya naman ako kapag nakikita ko si Veejay maglaro at lumalaban din. Naglaro kami ng basketball, masaya ako,” added Mongcopa, who has known Pre since their high school days at FEU-Diliman.

The Tamaraws, who were coming off a 90-78 win over defending champion De La Salle University, racked up their third straight victory to join the Ateneo Blue Eagles atop the standings with identical 3-1 records.

It is FEU’s best start since Season 78, when it also opened the campaign with a 3-1 record.

FEU and Ateneo will meet on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tamaraws began the game on fire, racing to a 26-13 lead after the opening frame. The Maroons, however, fought back in the second quarter to trim the deficit to just two points at halftime, 43-41.

FEU remained unfazed by UP’s comeback, erupting for 32 points in the third quarter while holding the Maroons to just 14 to build a commanding 75-55 advantage heading into the payoff period.

Jorick Bautista contributed 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists in the win, while Janrey Pasaol chipped in 15 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals.

Rookie Cabs Cabonillas also continued his steady play with 11 points, five rebounds, and two steals, while Mo Konateh held his own with 10 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block.

Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons suffered their second straight loss to fall to 2-2, tying the National University Bulldogs, University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, and Green Archers for fourth through seventh place.

Francis Nnoruka backed Pre with 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks, but committed six turnovers.

Noy Remogat also had 12 points, but the Maroons had little else going for them offensively.

UP will next face modern rival La Salle on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Scores:

FEU (90) – Mongcopa 24, Bautista 16, Pasaol 15, Cabonilas 11, Konateh 10, Felipe 5, Gish 4, Daa 3, Burgos 2, Nakai 0, Rañeses 0.

UP (79) – Pre 16, Nnoruka 14, Remogat 12, Payosing 8, Franco 6, Bayla 5, Stevens 5, Ogana 5, Briones 4, Poyos 2, Palanca 2, Yñiguez 0, Alter 0, Maga 0.

Quarterscores: 26-13, 43-41, 75-55, 90-79.

Arevalo brace preserves FEU win over Ateneo

c/o UAAP Media Team

Matches on Wednesday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium
2 p.m. – UP vs UST
4:30 p.m. – Ateneo vs NU
7 p.m. – FEU vs DLSU

Just when Ateneo de Manila University appeared poised to snatch its first point against Far Eastern University since UAAP Season 81, Judie Arevalo delivered a clutch two-goal performance to rescue the defending champions.

Arevalo’s brace and Kyaneza Abellar’s opener helped FEU edge Ateneo, 3-2, in a thrilling UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament clash on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Playing in her final year, Arevalo struck the winner in the 82nd minute to spare the Lady Tamaraws from dropping points after they squandered a two-goal cushion against the Blue Eagles.

She had earlier doubled FEU’s lead in the 25th minute, putting the Lady Tamaraws in control after Abellar opened the scoring in the 15th minute.

“Maganda performance, for every game nag-show up,” said coach Let Dimzon. “So kailangan niya lang is maging consistent sa ginagawa, tsaka 'yung understanding niya in front of the goal. She has a lot of chance talaga. Siguro kailangan niya ma-improve 'yung decision-making — makikita sana natin 'yun pagdating ng second round.”

On the other hand, it was a disappointing afternoon for the Blue Eagles.

Down by two goals, Jada Bicierro pulled one back for Ateneo in the 45+3rd minute, tapping the ball into the net after FEU goalkeeper Mikah Ranain failed to properly handle Kassandra Zalamea’s free kick.

Ateneo then thought it had snatched a point when Cassandra Zaldarriaga leveled the contest in the 76th minute with a close-range finish.

But Arevalo had the final say, scoring her second goal of the match six minutes later to restore FEU’s lead.

The Blue Eagles had one last attacking sequence, with Bicierro releasing a promising cross from the right flank, but none of her teammates could get close enough to connect with it.

While relieved to secure the win, Dimzon wanted the Lady Tamaraws to become more clinical in front of goal in their succeeding matches.

“‘Yung adjustment namin, although yes, we are lacking players, ang nagiging problem namin is selection of passes,” said the former national team coach. “Mentally, they have to prepare. Although we worked on polishing the play, but I think ‘di ko siya nakita.”

“So ‘yun ang kailangan namin matutunan, kasi we have a lot of chances to attack. Malaki ‘yung tsansa namin, kaso pagdating namin to [the] attacking third, we lose the chances to convert it to goals.”

Both schools will wrap up the first round on Wednesday at the same venue.

FEU will face perennial rival De La Salle University at 7 p.m., while Ateneo takes on National University at 4:30 p.m.

Gilas 3x3 stalwarts anchor FEU in season opener

c/o UAAP Media Team

UAAP Season 89 Women’s Basketball Standings
Team W-L
UST 1-0
NU 1-0
UP 1-0
FEU 1-0
DLSU 0-1
Ateneo 0-1
AdU 0-1
UE 0-1

Games on Saturday at the Philsports Arena
10 a.m. - UST vs AdU (Women)
12 p.m. - NU vs Ateneo (Women)
3 p.m. - UST vs AdU (Men)
5:30 p.m. - NU vs Ateneo (Men)

Far Eastern University outlasted De La Salle University, 76-71, to open its UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament campaign on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Tamaraws made an early statement that they can contend for a Final Four spot, with Asian Games campaigners Amyah Espanol and Victoria Pasilang leading the way.

A silver medalist in 3x3 at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Espanol delivered a near triple-double performance for FEU with 18 points, nine steals, and eight rebounds while finishing with a plus-16 rating in 31 minutes and 29 seconds on the floor.

Her 3x3 teammate, Pasilang, also came up big with 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

Despite the impressive season opener, third-year head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy remained discontented despite the victory.

“I’m not surprised with the way these two (Espanol and Pasilang) played but like I said, our standards were not yet there. We are happy but we are not contented in this game,” said Palmera-Dy.

With FEU ahead by just four points with less than four minutes remaining, Pasilang, Espanol, and Elaine Patio sparked a 7-2 blitz to give the Lady Tamaraws a 76-67 lead with 1:12 left to play.

That proved to be enough as the Lady Archers could only muster four more points the rest of the way, allowing FEU to secure the victory.

“It’s our goal this year, be in the Final Four and push to the Finals. I think we really have a good chance, we have a very promising team this year,” said Espanol.

MJ Manguiat also delivered for FEU with 17 points, four assists, and four steals, while Patio added 12 points despite shooting just 4-of-14 from the field.

Kyla Go led La Salle with 19 points, although 14 of her points came from the free-throw line, where she shot a perfect 14-of-14. She struggled from the field, however, making just 2-of-12 attempts.

Nigerian center Favour Ojo also had an impressive debut for the Lady Archers, recording 17 points, 13 rebounds, and two steals.

Both teams will return to action on Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, with La Salle facing the University of the East at 10 a.m., followed by FEU’s clash with the University of the Philippines at 12 p.m.

The Scores:

FEU (76) – Espanol 18, Manguiat 17, Pasilang 15, Patio 12, Salvani 8, Lopez 6, Dela Torre 0, Agcambot 0, Kant 0, Gavaran 0.

DLSU (71) – Go 19, Ojo 17, Dueñas 9, Sunga 6, A. Dizon 6, Anastacio 5, S. Dizon 4, Villarin 3, Delos Reyes 2, Lubrico 0, Araza 0.

Quarterscores: 21-18, 37-39, 56-55, 76-71.

FEU extends winning streak to fifteen straight in UAAP women's football

 

c/o UAAP Media

In a match overshadowed by an unpleasant tussle between the two teams, Judie Arevalo’s brace powered Far Eastern University to a 4-0 win over the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Arevalo, the Season 88 Golden Boot awardee, scored in the 30th and 71st minutes, finding the back of the net with sumptuous finishes past Fighting Maroons goalkeeper Mariel Sancho.

Before Arevalo completed her brace, Iries Dela Cruz set the tone for the Lady Tamaraws with a header just four minutes into the match, while Julia Sacmar’s solo run into the box doubled the defending champions’ lead five minutes later.

“Sobrang ganda ng pinakita ng mga players, especially nung first half,” said FEU assistant coach Fitch Arboleda. “Lahat ng goals namin are coming from our plays. 'Yun ang madalas naming sinasabi sa kanila: we can win the game nang maganda kapag galing sa play talaga namin 'yung mga scores.”

Unfortunately, the match descended into unsavory scenes in the 72nd minute when both teams engaged in a fight that started with a clash between FEU’s Kristine Dela Peña and UP’s Angelica Dizon.

The resulting fracas saw three players from each side receive red cards. The Lady Tamaraws lost goalkeeper Blaine Barredo, Dela Peña, and Kyza Colina, while Sancho, Jessa May Aranas, and Ainnah De Guzman were dismissed for the Fighting Maroons.

Despite the incident, both sides performed the customary handshake at the final whistle and showed good sportsmanship toward one another.

“Very unfortunate lang,” said Arboleda. “Out of nowhere, nagdi-discuss kami kung sino ang i-su-sub namin para sa second wave sana ng system, pero nagulat lang kami.”

“We really don’t know paano nangyari 'yun. Learning din sa amin [at] sa mga players na 'pag may mga ganung instances, try not to engage kasi, 'yun nga, nakakaapekto sa mga sumusunod na games—and it’s not FEU.”

The result extended FEU’s winning streak to 15 matches and its unbeaten run to 33.

Both teams were also without their head coaches for the match. FEU’s Let Dimzon was away on personal business, while UP’s Anto Gonzales was serving a one-game suspension stemming from his red card last Wednesday against De La Salle University.

Both schools return to action on Wednesday at the same venue, with UP taking on neighbor Ateneo de Manila University at 4:30 p.m., followed by FEU’s clash against the University of Santo Tomas at 7 p.m.

FEU spoils Hubalde senior coaching debut, extends UE losing streak to 23 games

c/o UAAP

Far Eastern University spoiled Paulo Hubalde’s coaching debut with University of the East, scoring a 93-70 win in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Five Tamaraws scored in double figures, led by Gambian center Mo Konateh’s 15 points and nine rebounds.

Kirby Mongcopa also shone with a well-rounded performance of 13 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and one steal.

“Clearly, it’s been a long two weeks and a very difficult two weeks for us. The way we had our collapse against Adamson was not what we wanted… There’s a tough conversation with the players and the staff… but our focus now is gonna be so much more on the process, we’re gonna focus on doing things the right way and the winning will take care of itself,” said FEU head coach Sean Chambers.

The Tamaraws, who fell a game short of reaching the Final Four last season, bounced back emphatically from their narrow 53-56 opening-day loss to the Falcons.

Already ahead by 14 points at halftime, the Tamaraws took full control of the game with a 22-15 third-quarter run that pushed their lead to 21, 65-44.

FEU’s lead ballooned to as high as 29 after Konateh put back a miss by Mongcopa with 2:51 left in the game, making it 88-59.

The Tamaraws notched their first win of the season to join four other teams in the middle of the standings with identical 1-1 records.

“Talo kami sa first game namin and alam ko sa sarili ko rin doon na sobrang tight ko maglaro. Inisip ko lang, marami pang games so pwede akong makabawi. Focus lang talaga kami,” said Mongcopa, who was held to just four points on 2-of-11 shooting in their 56-53 loss to Adamson University on opening day.

Reigning MVP Janrey Pasaol added 12 points, six assists, and two steals without committing a turnover in the blowout, while Jedric Daa chipped in 12 points and five rebounds.

Meanwhile, the coaching change early in the season has yet to yield results for the Red Warriors, who dropped to 0-3 and extended their losing streak to 23 games.

Former head coach Chris Gavina resigned from his post after going winless in Season 88 and dropping the first two games of the current campaign, prompting UE to name Hubalde, its 16-and-under tactician, as interim coach for the remainder of the season.

Tope Lagat led UE with 20 points and five rebounds, while Mo Tañedo made the most of his trips to the line, going 10-of-13 on free throws to finish with 16 points.

Gene Carillo also had 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists against four turnovers in the losing effort.

FEU will look to continue its winning ways on Wednesday at the same venue when it faces defending champion De La Salle University at 5:30 p.m. Earlier at 3 p.m., UE will seek to end its long misery against University of Santo Tomas.

The Scores:

FEU 93 — Konateh 15, Mongcopa 13, Bautista 13, Pasaol 12, Daa 12, Cabonillas 6, Burgos 5, Gish 5, Nakai 4, Hall 4, Felipe 3, Rañeses 1, Montemayor 0, Macapagal 0.

UE 70 — Lagat 20, Tañedo 16, Carillo 13, Ajani 7, Robles 4, Cruz-Dumont 4, Sabroso 2, Santos 2, Jimenez 2, Vasquez 0, Mascarinas 0, Perez 0.

Quarterscores: 23-15, 43-29, 65-44, 93-70.

FEU thrash NU to kickstart quest for five straight UAAP Women's Football titles

c/o UAAP Media

UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Standings
FEU 3 (+5)
Ateneo 3 (+1)
DLSU 3 (+1)
UP 0 (-1)
UST 0 (-1)
NU 0 (-5)

Women's Football Matches on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium
2 p.m. – NU vs UST
4:30 p.m. – UP vs FEU
7 p.m. – Ateneo vs DLSU

Far Eastern University wasted little time reminding everyone why it has been the dominant force in collegiate women’s football, opening its bid for a fifth consecutive UAAP championship with a commanding 5-0 victory over debuting National University on Wednesday evening at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

The result also marked a historic moment for the Lady Bulldogs, who played their first-ever UAAP women’s football game as the league welcomed NU to the competition.

FEU had to wait until the second half to pull away, scoring four goals after a tightly contested opening period in which NU showed plenty of fight in its UAAP debut.

Marienell Cristobal, a FEU homegrown in her last playing year, provided the spark from set pieces, delivering pinpoint corner kicks that Althea Rebosura and Kristine Dela Peña headed home in the 25th and 51st minutes, respectively.

Substitute midfielder Angelie Tolosa then added to NU’s woes in the 66th minute, calmly finishing inside the box to give the Lady Tamaraws a 3-0 advantage.

Julie Sacmar followed with a right-footed strike in the 81st minute before defender Kyaneza Abellar capped FEU’s dominant display with an 89th-minute goal.

For FEU coach Let Dimzon, the emphatic victory was an encouraging way to begin the season, particularly after she was able to give valuable minutes to her reserves.

“We wanted to keep the quality and the standard of the game,” said Dimzon. “We're happy with the result because of our second stringers. It means that they wanted to be in that spot; it's a good wake-up call for the starting 11.”

The Lady Tamaraws controlled much of the proceedings, particularly in the attacking third, leaving goalkeeper Blaine Marie Barredo with little to do for much of the afternoon.

NU goalkeeper Quenie Aira Magarso, meanwhile, was kept busy throughout the match and made several important saves to keep the scoreline from ballooning further as the Lady Bulldogs endured their first taste of UAAP competition.

The victory extended FEU’s winning streak to 14 matches and its unbeaten run to 33 games dating back to Season 85.

Still, Dimzon stressed the importance of giving her younger and less experienced players opportunities early in the campaign rather than relying solely on the team’s established starters.

“Sa mga second stringers, especially new players, they need to get more exposure to the game,” said Dimzon. “Some of them, this is their first match kase di lahat naglalaro ng 11-a-side, so now nakikita natin kung ano nako-contribute nila and nabibigay (yung best) nila into the game.”

FEU will try to make it two wins in a row when it faces the University of the Philippines at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at the same venue.

NU, meanwhile, will look to regroup from its historic debut when it takes on the University of Santo Tomas in the 2 p.m. opener on the same day.

Five-set drama keeps FEU postseason hopes alive in UAAP Women's Volleyball

c/o UAAP

Far Eastern University woke up just in time to outlast also-ran Ateneo de Manila University, 22-25, 23-25, 25-12, 25-21, 15-10, and keep its Final Four hopes alive in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Lady Tamaraws finished the elimination round with an 8-6 record and are now the biggest supporters of the NU Lady Bulldogs against the UST Golden Tigresses in their ongoing match as of publishing time.

An NU win would drop UST to an 8-6 record as well, tying it with FEU and forcing a playoff for the last Final Four ticket on Saturday at the Big Dome. A Golden Tigresses victory, however, will officially eliminate the Lady Tamaraws from contention.

“‘Yung first set hindi nag work ‘yung game plan namin… but ayun nga lesson namin ‘yung first two sets. Kailangang may mag-step up, kailangang may mag-embrace ng responsibility na iiwan ng mga seniors,” said FEU head coach Tina Salak.

FEU has now won its last eight meetings against Ateneo since Season 85 (2023), but the streak was threatened after KC Cortez steered the Katipunan-based side to a two-set lead.

The Lady Tamaraws regrouped and played with renewed purpose and determination, rallying to tie the match and force a fifth set.

In the decider, Ateneo handed the victory to FEU after committing three costly errors, while Melody Pons and Clarisse Loresco scored a point each to turn a slim 10-9 lead into a 15-10 win after two hours and 21 minutes.

“0-0 lang ang mindset kasi hindi pa po tapos ang laban (after the second set). Kailangan lang po naming bumalik, pusuan pa po ng mas angat pa,” said captain Gerzel Petallo, who delivered 17 points, 16 digs, and 11 receptions.

Lovely Lopez added 13 points and 26 receptions for FEU, while Kyle Pendon also produced 13 points on five attacks, six blocks, and two aces off the bench.

Loresco chipped in 10 points as well, while libero Marga Encarnacion capped her stellar elimination round with 15 digs and 12 receptions. Despite playing hurt, Tin Ubaldo still delivered 22 excellent sets and had two blocks.

On the Ateneo side, Dona De Leon continued to show the program’s bright future with 15 points on 11 attacks and four blocks, while JLo Delos Santos added 12 points, 11 digs, and seven receptions.

Rookie Ana Hermosura also contributed 10 points, along with 12 receptions and nine digs.

Setter Taks Fujimoto has exhausted her eligibility for the Blue Eagles, while head coach Sergio Veloso has also confirmed he will not return next season.

Ateneo finished in seventh place with a 2-12 record, its worst finish in the Final Four era.

FEU dispatches UE earn solo third to kickstart UAAP second round action

c/o UAAP

Games on Saturday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum
9 a.m. – UST vs Ateneo (Men)
11 a.m. – La Salle vs AdU (Men)
1 p.m. – UST vs Ateneo (Women)
3 p.m. – La Salle vs AdU (Women)

Far Eastern University made quick work of University of the East, 25-11, 25-15, 25-22, to open the second round of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament on a resounding note on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Lady Tamaraws improved to solo third at 5-3, moving ahead of idle Adamson University and University of Santo Tomas, who are both at 4-3.

It was a confidence-building win for FEU, which now sets its sights on Sunday’s rematch against National University at the Big Dome, where it hopes to avenge its season-opening five-set loss.

“Against UE, siyempre, kailangan naming mag-ready in a manner na wala nga si Gerz (Petallo), nagkaroon kami ng few adjustments. Malaking factor din na na-run namin nang maayos hindi rin kasi biro ‘yung UE kalaban,” said FEU head coach Tina Salak.

After cruising through the first two sets, the Lady Tamaraws faced stiffer resistance from the Lady Warriors in the third.

Behind Khy Cepada, Kiesha Famulagan, and Eljane Nogueras, UE kept pace and forced a 21-all deadlock before Faida Bakanke took over to close out the match in just 76 minutes.

The Congolese opposite spiker unleashed a personal 4-1 finishing run, highlighted by back-to-back crosscourt kills, to seal FEU’s straight-sets victory.

“Sabi nga ni coach, hindi madali ‘yung adjustments, so huwag naming gawing joke ‘yung binibigay sa amin na role. In-embrace ko lang ‘yung ibinigay sa akin ni Coach T and sana po na-execute naman po nang maayos,” said Melody Pons, the younger sister of Bernadeth. She stepped up with nine points, nine digs, and five receptions. The elder Pons led FEU to its most recent Finals appearance in Season 80 (2018).

Bakanke finished with 14 points on 12 attacks and two blocks, along with five digs, while Jazlyn Ellarina added 11 points built on eight spikes and three blocks.

Lovely Lopez, who was inserted into the starting six, contributed seven points, eight digs, and eight receptions, as the Lady Tamaraws dominated both the attacking and blocking departments, 40-28 and 13-3, respectively.

FEU played without open spiker and No. 5 in the MVP race Gerz Petallo, who sustained a right shoulder injury last Saturday. Salak is hopeful Petallo will be fit in time for Sunday’s clash against the Lady Bulldogs.

Cepada was a one-woman force for UE with 15 points, 10 digs, and seven receptions, but the Lady Warriors remained winless through eight games.

Famulagan added six points.

UE will also be back in action on Sunday, taking on the University of the Philippines.

FEU retains spotless record in UAAP Men's Volleyball

c/o UAAP

Games on Saturday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum
9 a.m. – UST vs Ateneo (Men)
11 a.m. – La Salle vs AdU (Men)
1 p.m. – UST vs Ateneo (Women)
3 p.m. – La Salle vs AdU (Women)

Far Eastern University remained unbeaten through eight matches in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament with a 19-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-11 victory over University of the East on Wednesday morning at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Tamaraws dropped the first set but quickly found their rhythm in the next three, fueled by timely contributions from Amet Bituin, Dryx Saavedra, and Charles Absin, keeping them atop the eight-team standings with a perfect 8-0 record.

FEU continued to pull away from the rest of the field, as defending champion National University and University of Santo Tomas remained tied for second and third at 5-2, while Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University were deadlocked for fourth and fifth at 3-4.

Up next for the Tamaraws is a Finals rematch against the six-peat-seeking Bulldogs at 11 a.m. on Sunday at the Big Dome.

“Hindi naman sa nagulat, pero expected na rin kasi talagang lalaban si UE. Alam naman natin yung seven teams na yan, wala namang isa diyan na pupunta dito sa UAAP tapos iisipin na hindi sila lalaban ‘eh,” FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo said.

“Pagtungtong ng lahat sa hard court, hard game. Siguro baka ‘yon nga yung sinasabi ko sa team na yung utak at yung damdamin, hindi nakikita kung paano yung araw ngayon. Pero yung skills kasi, puwede i-overload at puwede ulitin hanggang sa makuha ang tamang proseso,” he added.

Although FEU struggled in the opening set, the Tamaraws regained momentum in the second and third frames, taking a 25-19 second-set win before relying on a crosscourt hit and a block by Mikko Espartero to secure a hard-fought 26-24 victory in the third.

In the fourth set, FEU surged ahead immediately, opening an 11-point, 16-5 lead behind an Absin block, a Saavedra through-the-block hit, a Bituin off-the-block attack, and an Ariel Cacao block.

The Red Warriors could not close the gap, as back-to-back hits by Judi Garriedo and a game-winning off-the-block attack by Luis Miguel sealed FEU’s four-set win in one hour and 43 minutes.

Bituin led the Tamaraws with 15 points on 14 attacks and 11 excellent receptions, while Saavedra also scored 15 points along with four excellent digs. Lirick Mendoza contributed 12 points on nine attacks, two blocks, and one ace, and Absin added nine points on six attacks and three blocks.

Cacao delivered 25 excellent sets and three points, while sophomore libero Vennie Ceballos registered 18 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs.

For UE, Raquim Aceron topscored with 21 points on 18 attacks, two blocks, and one ace, alongside 14 excellent receptions and six excellent digs, as the Red Warriors dropped their fifth straight game to fall to 1-7. Roy Piojo added 15 points with 17 excellent receptions, while Xjhann Camaymayan contributed nine points on six attacks and three blocks.

UE will face University of the Philippines at 9 a.m., also at the Big Dome.

Selwyn Mamon brings experience to PMNFT U-22

c/o UAAP

For Far Eastern University striker Selwyn Mamon, the upcoming Southeast Asian Games isn’t just another tournament—it’s a stage to prove that the Philippines can finally break through in the under-23 regional competition.

The SEA Games have long been a challenging arena for Philippine football, demanding intensity and physical output far beyond collegiate leagues. 

Despite the country’s persistent efforts, a podium finish has remained elusive. 

Hopes though are high that the tide might finally turn.

At 21, the Iloilo City native brings a wealth of experience to the national team. 

A UAAP champion in both high school and collegiate divisions with FEU, Mamon has also earned five international caps for the Philippines under-23 team. He’s ready to channel all that experience into tangible results on the pitch.

“Each day ng training namin nag-i-improve po talaga yung team chemistry even though hindi pa po complete talaga yung team,” said the FEU standout who has seven goals so far in the Tamaraws’ UAAP Season 88 campaign. 

“Nandun na po yung team connection and communication.”

Mamon knows that success at the SEA Games depends on how quickly players from various local and foreign teams can gel. But he also sees every experience—good or bad—as a building block for the future.

“Every experience po, may it be international or local, napakalaking advantage po yun na talagang magagamit sa future games. Sa mga small wins doon po na-bi-build confidence ko maglaro,” said Mamon.

The Philippine U-23 team is aiming for gold in the SEA Games, building on a strong showing earlier this year when they reached the semifinals of the ASEAN U-23 Mandiri Cup 2025, finishing fourth. 

Mamon's focus is clear: turn potential into results.

“Goal is to win po talaga. Hindi naman po impossible yun. One game at a time lang,” he said. 

“I’ll do my best to contribute goals para sa team. Lahat ng experience and skills na I acquired, I’ll show them every game.”

FEU ends 15-year title drought, denies UST complete table tennis domination

c/o UAAP

Far Eastern University ended a 15-year title drought in spectacular fashion, completing a perfect season sweep of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Table Tennis tournament.

The Lady Tamaraws capped their campaign with a 2-0 sweep of the finals series against defending champions University of Santo Tomas Lady Paddlers on Friday at the Amoranto Sports Arena in Diliman, Quezon City.

After winning four consecutive championships from Season 70 (2007) to 73 (2010), FEU had often been in contention but could never reclaim the crown in this tournament supported by Huaching Foundation and Topcoms Marketing Inc.—until now.

This season, the Lady Tamaraws combined experienced holdovers with promising rookies to secure FEU’s second championship of the year, following their fourth straight title in women’s football.

Glieza Ampalid and Krisha Reyes, veterans from previous squads that fell short against De La Salle University and UST, sealed the Finals and ended the championship drought with an 11-4, 6-11, 11-9, 11-4 victory over Samanta Bandojo and Leigh Villanueva.

“Sobrang saya ko; as a head coach talagang hindi ko ma-explain ‘yung happiness na nararamdaman ko for how many years na naibalik ‘yung korona sa FEU, sa Morayta. Talagang unspeakable joy ‘yung nararamdaman ko,” said long-time head coach Noel Gonzales.

Earlier, Shairah Gabisay overcame Kaye Encarnacion in the first set before closing the match decisively, 12-10, 11-1, 11-3, while eventual MVP Chrishein Santillan defeated Janna Paculba, 11-4, 11-7, 11-5, giving FEU a comfortable 2-0 lead.

That lead proved decisive as Ampalid and Reyes completed a sweep of their matches for the day, including a 3-0 win in the second tie, culminating in a flawless 14-0 season.

Rookie of the Year Christine Golez then clinched the deciding singles match against Paculba, 11-4, 11-6, 15-17, 11-9, after the first Finals tie ended in a 2-2 split.

The Lady Paddlers and Lady Tamaraws exchanged victories in a back-and-forth series. Encarnacion put last year’s champions on the board first, defeating rookie Cate Sarmiento, 11-2, 9-11, 11-7, 4-11, 11-9. Santillan answered with a 16-14, 11-5, 11-2 win over Keya Manada, while Ampalid and Reyes gave FEU the lead with an 11-7, 11-5, 11-3 win over Bandojo and Jaylyn Valencia.

Last season's rookie-MVP Althea Gudes then forced a decider, defeating Gabisay, 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 7-11, 11-3. Notably, Ateneo’s Andrea Deondo was among multiple top newcomers, marking a rare occurrence of multiple Rookie of the Year awardees.

With most of his players returning for next season, Gonzales emphasized the key to sustained success:

“Ang sikreto lang d’yan, number one is ‘yung training, pero ang pinaka-importante is ‘yung self-discipline. Kahit anong galing mo pero wala kang disiplina sa sarili, hindi ka magpo-prosper, hindi ka magiging successful. ‘Yun ‘yung gusto kong makita, ma-maintain nila ‘yung gano’ng disiplina,” he said.

With women's football title defended, Rebosura sets sights on Futsal World Cup

c/o UAAP

From humble beginnings on the indoor court of Payatas to the grand stage of the UAAP, Regine Rebosura’s college football career ended on the highest note possible—just before she stepped onto the world’s biggest futsal stage.

Rebosura, who came in as a second-half substitute, scored in the 90+3rd minute to seal Far Eastern University’s 2-0 win over De La Salle University in the final of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament last Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Her goal helped the Lady Tamaraws complete a perfect campaign and claim their fourth consecutive championship.

If that wasn’t enough, she also earned the Best Midfielder award—her second time receiving the honor after previously claiming it in Season 85.

Known for making the most of every opportunity to shine, Rebosura reflected on the daily challenges that made her triumph even more fulfilling.

“Sobrang saya,” said the 24-year-old from Quezon City. “Sobrang worth it lahat kase napag-manage namin kasabay ng academics namin. Training sa morning, gym sa hapon — yung pagod namin sobrang worth it.”

What made Rebosura’s happy ending even more remarkable was that she had spent time away from her FEU teammates while preparing in Spain with the Philippine Women’s National Futsal Team for the 2025 FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup.

Moreover, the night before the UAAP final, her name was confirmed among the 14 players who would represent the country in the inaugural World Cup edition on home soil. She initially struggled to compose herself, but ultimately focused on making up for lost time.

“Para sakin, yung second half medyo nag-a-adjust ako,” said the newly crowned four-time champion. “Medyo kinakabahan kasi galing po ako Spain. Mahirap mag-adjust. Alam ko sa sarili ko kaya ko pa and then pinangako ko sa mga teammates and mga coaches ko na kaya kong bumawi.”

Rebosura’s journey has been remarkable; she could not have imagined that kicking a ball on a simple court would be the first step toward four UAAP championships, crucial goals across three finals, and two individual awards.

Yet, there could be no greater validation of her versatility, hard work, and talent than her inclusion as the only collegiate player in the final Filipina5 squad for the World Cup.

The Filipina5 are grouped with Poland (November 21), Morocco (November 24), and Argentina (November 27), with the top two teams in each of the four pools advancing to the knockout stage.

As an underdog throughout her life, Rebosura hopes the nationals will surprise their opponents.

She is now calling on local fans to rally behind her and her teammates as they prepare for a historic homecourt debut.

“Yun po lumabas na po yung final 14,” she said. “Kasama po ako sa list na maglalaro po sa World Cup. Suportahan nyo po kami maglaro from November 21. Dito po gaganapin.”

FEU, La Salle resume battle for UAAP women's football supremacy

c/o UAAP

Match on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium

5 p.m. – FEU vs DLSU

In a championship clash between two teams carrying contrasting momenta, defending champion Far Eastern University and challenger De La Salle University are set to battle for the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament crown for the fifth straight edition Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Riding the high of an eight-win elimination round, top-seeded FEU is embracing the chance to secure a fourth consecutive title.

La Salle defeated FEU back in Season 81, 2–0, behind the exploits of Sara Castañeda and Shai Del Campo.

Since then, the Lady Tamaraws have turned the rivalry around, capturing the championships in Seasons 85 (2–1, AET), 86 (2–1, AET), and 87 (3–2), with Inday Tolentin leading the charge.

Now, FEU aims to extend its UAAP-record 13 titles to 14 and spark another potential treble run for the school.

Their dominance this year was evident when they clinched their fifth straight final appearance with a 2–0 win over the University of Santo Tomas on October 18 — even with three matches still left on their second-round slate.

For Lady Tamaraws head coach Let Dimzon, the focus is on staying sharp and not underestimating the Lady Booters despite defeating them twice in the eliminations — 2–1 on October 4 and again on November 5.

The decorated head coach stressed that the one-off nature of the final means anything can happen, and discipline will be key.

“Although nakalaro na namin ang La Salle, we need to be focused,” said the former national team mentor. “Hindi kami mag-re-relax dahil lang natalo namin ang La Salle for two games. Kailangan talaga, we need to strengthen our attacks, yung discipline in both attack and defending, and then also yung rotation ng players.”

FEU enters the title match with three Golden Boot contenders: Judie Arevalo, the current leader with seven goals; and Regine Rebosura and Marinell Cristobal, who have five goals each.

Meanwhile, La Salle arrives in the final as the underdog after a rough second round that saw losses to Ateneo de Manila University, FEU, and UST. Still, Season 87 Rookie of the Year and Golden Boot co-winner Dani Tanjangco has been a bright spot with three goals this season.

Despite the odds, Lady Booters head coach Alvin Ocampo has challenged his team to rise above past heartbreaks and break a streak of runner-up finishes to FEU, as they chase the program’s first title since Season 81.

“Accept the pressure,” said Ocampo. “Play with passion and love for the game and genuine enjoyment will come. Mental toughness teaches you to bounce back. We will compete.”

If La Salle manages to flip the script and dethrone FEU, it will capture its 12th championship in the women’s division.

The Lady Booters have been in this position before — most notably in Season 80, when they stunned top-seeded UST in the final despite being swept by the Tigresses in the eliminations.

Anito stars in FEU triumph over UE

c/o UAAP

Women's Matches on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium
4 p.m. - DLSU vs UP
6:30 p.m. - UST vs Ateneo

Rookie Jerby Anito stepped up for defending champion Far Eastern University in a 2-0 victory over the University of the East in the ongoing UAAP Season 88 Men’s Football Tournament on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.

The homegrown midfielder broke the deadlock in the 48th minute, slotting in his second goal of the season after Czam Acuesta’s initial attempt failed to reach the back of the net.

Anito continued his stellar performance just seven minutes later, setting up the Tamaraws’ second goal with a perfect ball inside the box that Theo Libarnes headed past UE keeper Chrisjohn Tambilawan.

With the win, FEU forced a triple tie on top of the table with the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University, all holding seven points and a goal difference of +3. The Fighting Maroons were scheduled to play later in the evening.

“I think we dominated and controlled the game today,” said FEU head coach Jake Murallo. "From the first half medyo nahirapan kami, pero sa second half nakuha namin 'yung play namin at nakapag-adjust naman kami.

"Ang daming player na wala—our two red cards—and some players like Mon Diansuy nagkasakit, so very proud ako kay Jet Fabrigas sa unang clean sheet niya."

("I think we dominated and controlled the game today from the first half despite our struggles. In the second half, we got to execute our plays and we were able to adjust. We're shorthanded due to suspensions, and some players like Mon Diansuy were not feeling well. So, I'm proud of Jetrick Fabrigas on his clean sheet.")

Both teams struggled to break the deadlock in the first half, with neither side managing to convert chances into a goal.

FEU had a promising sequence in the 21st minute, but the attack fizzled out before UE could clear the ball.

The Tamaraws, however, found their rhythm in the second half, converting their relentless pressure into two decisive goals to seal the win.

On the other hand, UE had its share of opportunities through Bernard Magallon and Francis Maturan, but FEU goalkeeper Jet Fabrigas stood tall—most notably stopping Maturan’s rocket attempt in the 63rd minute.

The Red Warriors remain rooted at the bottom of the standings with zero points and a -6 goal difference.

FEU will next face Ateneo on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the same venue, while UE will wrap up its first-round campaign against the University of Santo Tomas (5 pts, 0 GD) on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

Egay’s late winner completes FEU first round sweep in women's football

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament Standings:
FEU 12 (+10)
DLSU 9 (+3)
UST 4 (-1)
ATENEO 4 (-4)
UP 0 (-8)

Men's Matches Tomorrow at the UP Diliman Football Field
4 p.m. – DLSU vs. Ateneo
6:30 p.m. – FEU vs. UST

Angel Egay delivered when it mattered most, leading Far Eastern University to a first-round sweep of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament with a 2-1 victory over a resilient De La Salle University on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Field in Quezon City.

The second-year striker found space just outside the box and fired a decisive shot in the 80th minute, giving the Lady Tamaraws the edge in this heated rematch of last season’s finals.

“Ung breakaway goal ni Egay, it was a perfect shot. She was at a good moment at the right time,” said coach Let Dimzon.

Marienelle Cristobal had earlier equalized in first-half stoppage time, calmly converting a penalty in the 45th minute after La Salle’s Elisha Lubiano was called for a foul inside the box.

With the win, FEU claimed first place in the standings with 12 points and a +10 goal difference.

“Medyo intense sa first half. Naunahan kami maka-score goal, but it's a good comeback. Sabi ko, hangga’t hindi pa natatapos yung whistle, don't stop,” added Dimzon.

It was a tough afternoon for the defending champions as it was the Lady Booters who opened the scoring.

Maegan Alforque outmaneuvered FEU goalkeeper Jessa Lehayan to put La Salle on the scoreboard in the 31st minute.

Despite ending the first round on a sour note, La Salle remains in a strong position to return to the finals, holding second place in the standings with nine points and a +3 goal difference.

The second round of eliminations is set to begin next Saturday at the same Diliman venue.

Arevalo’s late strike puts FEU at cusp of first round sweep

c/o UAAP

Men's Matches Thursday at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub
2:30 p.m. - DLSU vs UP
4:30 p.m. - UST vs Ateneo
7 p.m. - UE vs Adamson

Judie Arevalo drilled in the winning goal, sending Far Eastern University to a third straight victory in the UAAP Season 88 Women's Football Tournament, 1-0, over University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub here.

The four-peat-seeking Lady Tamaraws joined the De La Salle Lady Booters atop the standings with nine points, setting up a showdown on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the University of the Philippines Football Field.

The senior forward capitalized on a well-executed buildup involving Marienell Cristobal and Angel Egay to put FEU ahead in the 52nd minute.

Cristobal, who had been at the heart of the Lady Tamaraws' offense since kickoff, finally found Egay inside the box.

Egay, maintaining her composure, attempted to finish, but the ball did not find the net.

Arevalo, however, was perfectly positioned to tap the ball home, securing the go-ahead goal.

"Ang naging problem naming nung start is hindi kami nag-solid eh do'n sa backline and do'n sa harapan. Ni-reserve talaga namin si Arevalo; kaya mahirap 'pag wala 'yung starter mo. Pero good adjustment during the second half, a lot of dangerous opportunities. Yun lang talaga, 'yung understanding sa back, kasi marami kaming chances pero hindi talaga nila makita 'yung target," said long-time head coach Let Dimzon.

("We just had problems at the start because we reserved Arevalo for the latter parts, so we were not that solid at the back and up front. Without our usual starters, we struggled. But it was a good adjustment during the second half because we had a lot of dangerous opportunities. We just have to improve our understanding of the situation from the back to be able to find our options up front.)

"We want them to improve lang lagi every game kasi from the very first game nagiging maganda 'yung result ng play namin. Kaya going into the La Salle game, improve lang nila 'yung communication kasi do'n kami nagkukulang," she added.

(We want them to improve every game just as we played from the very first match up to now. Going into the La Salle game, we just need to improve our communication because that's where we lack.")

UST had opportunities in both halves, but Rica Gerona in the first half and Jannah Santerva in the second could not break through the FEU defense.

The Lady Booters remain in third place with three points and a goal difference of -1 as they seek a bounce-back win against Ateneo in Saturday's first match at 4 p.m.

FEU issues Adamson shutout to secure first Season 88 win

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament Standing:
UP 6 (+3)
UST 4 (+1)
Ateneo 3 (+2)
FEU 3 (+1)
DLSU 3 (0)
UE 3 (-1)
Adu 1 (-6)

Women's Matches on Wednesday at Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub
4 p.m. -UST vs FEU
6:30 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP

Defending champion Far Eastern University staged a masterful comeback, cruising to a commanding 3-0 win over Adamson University on Sunday at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub here.

Edgar Aban opened the scoring with a flawless free kick in the 17th minute, breaking the deadlock and igniting the Tamaraws’ relentless attack.

The 21-year-old then orchestrated another brilliant move, delivering a pinpoint assist to Czam Acuesta in the 33rd minute to double FEU’s lead.

In the dying moments of the match, Jerby Anito sealed the victory with a decisive strike in the 90+3’ to cap off the Tamaraws’ commanding performance.

"The 3-1 loss last game was a good wake-up call. It was good that it came early. When the team was defending the title, it was the first game jitters always, you know? So it was a good shakeup. I'm pretty pleased how they performed today," shared assistant coach Albert Besa on the comeback win.

"We were able to focus mentally on the game and we were not overestimating, even though, you know, whoever our opponent is, that's one of the rules, and it was good. They played well."

With the victory, FEU claimed its first three points of the season and surged to fourth place in the standings with a +1 goal difference. The Tamaraws will look to maintain their momentum as they prepare to face University of Santo Tomas at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Adamson, meanwhile, battled fiercely against the Morayta squad, constantly probing for cracks in FEU’s solid defense.

Golike Doko came heartbreakingly close to scoring a consolation goal for the Soaring Falcons in the 83rd minute, but the ball drifted agonizingly just inches wide of the goalpost.

The Soaring Falcons remain at the bottom of the standings with zero points and a -6 goal difference.

Adamson will continue its search for a first win when it faces University of the East at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the same Imus pitch.

Arevalo, Rebosura braces highlight FEU rout

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Football Standings
DLSU 9 (+4)
FEU 6 (+8)
UST 3 (0)
Ateneo 0 (-5)
UP 0 (-7)

Men's Matches on Sunday at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub
4 p.m. - Ateneo vs UE
6:30 p.m. – FEU vs AdU

Judie Arevalo and Regine Rebosura each scored twice as Far Eastern University crushed Ateneo de Manila University, 5-1, on Saturday at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub here.

After falling behind 1-0, Arevalo netted the equalizer in the 19th minute and completed her brace in the 36th. In between, Season 85 Best Midfielder Rebosura struck twice in quick succession in the 32nd and 33rd minutes to cement FEU’s comeback.

"Maganda yung attacking, especially sa side ni Regine, very dangerous," shared head coach Let Dimzon, returning after an international stint in Borneo.

"Marami yung mga chances to score in the first half pero di nila na-ca-capitalize. Yun yung isa sa problem namin is yung distance namin from each other sa attacking field so I think ayun na lang ang kailngan nila i-improve."

"The attacking was really good, especially on Regine’s side—it was very dangerous. There were a lot of chances to score in the first half, but we didn’t capitalize on them. One of our problems is the spacing between players in the attacking field, so I think that’s what they need to work on."

Knayeza Abella, a first-year defender for the Lady Tamaraws, added the final goal in the 53rd minute to cap off the dominant performance.

The victory lifts the defending champions to second place with six points and a +7 goal difference, just behind De La Salle University, which leads with nine points.

Ateneo initially took the lead in the 10th minute through Jada Bicierro, but the early advantage only fueled FEU’s determination to mount pressure and turn the game around.

The loss drops the Blue Eagles to fourth place, leaving them with back-to-back defeats and a -4 goal difference.

Both teams will return to action this Wednesday at Vermosa.

FEU will face University of Santo Tomas at 4 p.m., followed by Ateneo taking on University of the Philippines at 6:30 p.m.

FEU fends off UP upset bid

c/o UAAP Media Team

Games on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena

9 a.m. - UE vs NU (Men)
11 a.m. - Ateneo vs FEU (Men)
1 p.m. - UE vs NU (Women)
3 p.m. - Ateneo vs FEU (Women)

DRYX Saavedra rose to the occasion when it mattered the most.

With Far Eastern University on the ropes, the Season 86 Best Opposite Hitter exploded for 29 points as the Tamaraws denied the reverse sweep bid of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 25-19, 25-21, 20-25, 29-31, 15-12, to clinch the first Final Four ticket in the UAAP Season 87 Men's Volleyball Tournament, Sunday morning, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Reeling from a tough five-set loss to the National University Bulldogs last Sunday, the Tamaraws rebounded in thrilling fashion, improving to a 10-1 record to clinch the first postseason ticket in the eight-team field.

FEU will make its sixth consecutive Final Four appearance dating back to Season 79 and is now eyeing to secure a twice-to-beat bonus with three matches left in the eliminations.

The win also reaffirmed FEU's dominance over UP, clinching their 12th straight victory over the Fighting Maroons which started in Season 79 last March 1, 2017.

“Yung sinabi nga ni coach sa amin na kahit hindi pa naguumpisa yung game, dapat ready ka na kung ano ‘man mangyari. ‘Yon talaga palagi ko iniisip ‘eh. Kanina, naexperience ulit namin na kami yung naghahabol, pero buti na i-apply yung maturity na palagi namin sinasabi," Saavedra said, who scored 29 points with a 28-of-44 attack efficiency and one ace.

("What coach told us is that even if the game hasn’t started yet, you should already be ready for whatever may happen. That's really what I always keep in mind. Earlier, we experienced being the ones chasing the game, but thankfully, we were able to apply the maturity we've been talking about.")

Deadlocked at 10-all in the decisive fifth set, an off-the-block attack from Nigerian wing spiker Olayemi Raheem and a center line fault from Mikko Espartero sent UP to a crucial 12-10 advantage.

However, third-year setter Ariel Cacao activated the Tamaraws’ middle blockers at the perfect time as two quick hits by Charles Absin and Lirick Mendoza, along with an off-the-block attack from Saavedra, allowed FEU to regain a slim 13-12 cushion.

Eager to make up for a crucial error in the fifth set, Espartero redeemed himself in the clutch.

An out-of-system attack and a block from the 20-year-old outside hitter from Antique sealed the Tamaraws’ five-set heist of the Fighting Maroons.

“Maganda yung kapit ng bawat isa [in the fifth set]. Medyo all the way, naging lamang din [ang UP] ‘eh. Naghiwalay lang yata nung dulo na. Ang pinakamaganda lang sa nangyari sa amin is ready kami sa kung anong sitwasyon ‘man yung dumating at yung love ng bawat isa sa bawat isa, nandoon,” FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo said.

("The team’s connection was great [in the fifth set]. UP had a lead for a while. I think it only separated at the end. The best part of what happened to us is that we were ready for whatever situation came, and the love for each other was there.")

Mendoza achieved 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks, while Congolese middle blocker Doula Ndongala also scored 15 points on 12 attacks and three blocks.

Espartero added 16 points on 12 attacks, three blocks, and one ace with six excellent digs and six excellent receptions, while team captain Jelord Talisayan chipped in five points and 10 excellent receptions.

Cacao orchestrated the Tamaraws’ offense with 25 excellent sets with one ace, while rookie libero Vennie Ceballos shined with 29 excellent receptions and six excellent digs.

The Tamaraws look to boost their hunt for a twice-to-beat incentive when they clash against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Wednesday, April 9, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

The loss, on the other hand, eliminated the Fighting Maroons from Final Four contention alongside the University of the East Red Warriors and the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, dropping to a 3-8 card to remain at sixth place. They will miss the postseason festivities for the sixth consecutive UAAP season, a drought that began in Season 79.

Raheem paced UP in the heartbreaking defeat with 25 points on 23 attacks, one block, and one ace, while rookie hitter Tommy Castrodes provided 17 points on 15 attacks with 19 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.

Angelo Lipata added 11 points and 17 excellent receptions, while Angelo Aballe dished out 22 excellent sets in the losing effort.

UP will face De La Salle University next Sunday, April 13, at the same Cubao venue.