FEU Lady Tamaraws bronze finish within the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Pre-season Championship. –SSL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University pulled the rug from under University of Santo Tomas, 20-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12, to capture the bronze medal of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Pre-season Championship on Sunday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Lady Tamaraws overcame a two-set-to-one deficit, dominating the fourth, where the Tigresses, unfortunately, lost Jonna Perdido after her left knee fell awkwardly from her attack attempt that went out, giving FEU a 13-9 lead.
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FEU dominated the fourth to force a decider, nailing five of their 17 blocks within the set to complete the bronze medal game in two hours and 36 minutes.
READ: UST Tigresses outlast FEU Lady Tamaraws to clinch V-League crown
The Morayta-based spikers began the set with a 9-4 lead with Faida Bakanke and Jaz Ellarina hosting the block party. Nevertheless, Angge Poyos and Kyla Cordora willed UST back, cutting down the result in 11-10.
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Cordora’s service went off the mark, which allowed FEU to make a run with Tin Ubaldo and Alyzza Devosora putting their team at match point, 14-11. Poyos saved some extent but Ellarina slammed the door for his or her second consecutive bronze within the pre-season championship.
FEU Lady Tamaraws bronze finish within the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Pre-season Championship. –SSL PHOTO
The Lady Tamaraws also had a runner-up finish on this yr’s National Invitationals and avenged their defeat to the Tigresses within the V-League finals.
“After all, it’s something to be happy with because we finished the pre-season, especially since that is the last pre-season tournament we’ll be joining. We’re proud—Coach Tina and I—that we still made it to the rostrum, so we’re really pleased,” said FEU deputy coach Manolo Refugia, who stepped in to teach the team resulting from Tina Salak’s prior commitment.
READ: UAAP: FEU Lady Tamaraws hope to capitalize on Cinderella run
Ellarina led the best way for FEU with 13 points off 10 kills and three blocks. Gerz Petallo had 11 points including three blocks. Faida Bakanke had 10 points including three from the fifth set, while Devosora and Chenie Tagaod added nine each.
“Super pleased because all our labor paid off. You recognize, we don’t feel the exhaustion because what we feel is pure joy,” said Ubaldo, who tallied 18 excellent sets and contributed 4 points.
UST, last yr’s runner-up, settled for fourth place, losing to FEU two games in a row including its straight-set defeat within the second round.
FINAL: FEU pulls off a come-from-behind 20-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12 win over UST to capture the bronze medal within the #ShakeysSuperLeague2024. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/UPdt4TcmoR
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) November 24, 2024
Poyos carried the Tigresses with 21 points. Perdido had 11 points before hurting her left knee, while Reg Jurado added 10.
FEU eyes overseas training, in search of to sustain its momentum from a fruitful preseason and translate it to a successful Season 87.
“The closer the UAAP gets, the more the extent of play rises for all teams. It’s not the identical as last yr because all of the teams are maturing, so the competition really intensifies,” said Refugia. “Coach Tina has set a high standard, starting with how they approach training, their character, and their attitude.”
“We’re still removed from our goal since the UAAP is a very different level. It requires unique preparation, ensuring the players stay healthy throughout the long season—that’s what we actually need to concentrate on.”
