Far Eastern University avenged its first-round loss to National University with a gritty 25-23, 25-23, 20-25, 21-25, 22-20 victory, earning a share of second place in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

The Lady Tamaraws now join the Lady Bulldogs in a tie for second, with both teams holding identical 6-3 records.

Unlike in their first-round meeting—where NU pulled off a thrilling reverse sweep, 17-25, 16-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-12—FEU held its ground this time, showing composure to outlast the defending champions.

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Despite the uncertainty surrounding the status of team captain Gerzel Petallo, Tin Ubaldo remains confident that Far Eastern University has the depth to weather the storm.

The veteran setter believes the Lady Tamaraws’ next wave of outside hitters is ready to step up should Petallo miss time in the second round of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament.

Petallo suffered an apparent right shoulder injury following a collision with libero Marga Encarnacion at the 16-15 mark of the third set during FEU’s clash against University of Santo Tomas on Saturday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Ubaldo later revealed that Petallo has yet to receive an official diagnosis, but the team captain was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for an X-ray.

“I feel like ready naman yung next na outside [hitters] na papalit kay Gerz. Hindi naman sa hindi siya big thing, kailangan din naman namin si Gerz, pero ready naman ang second stringers at mga nakaline-up na spikers sa team,” Ubaldo told reporters postgame.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

Petallo’s absence proved pivotal as FEU saw its three-game winning streak snapped, dropping into a tie for third place with UST as both squads now hold identical 4-3 win-loss records at the end of the first round.

Still, Ubaldo remains optimistic that the Lady Tamaraws’ wing spikers coming off the bench — led by Lovely Lopez, Alyssa Devosora, and Melody Pons — can rise to the challenge once the second round begins.

“Sa tingin ko, opo, lalo na yung kapalitan ni Gerz na si Lovely. Feel ko talagang kayang-kaya niyang saluhin yung role na binibigay ni Gerzel sa [starting six],” the fifth-year playmaker explained.

If Petallo is forced to miss time, FEU will need a collective effort from Lopez and the rest of its rotation to keep its Final Four hopes alive in a tightly contested UAAP women’s volleyball field.

Standing in the Lady Tamaraws’ path are league-leading De La Salle University (6-0), defending champion National University (5-1), UST, as well as Adamson University and the University of the Philippines (both at 3-3) — all eager to strengthen their own postseason bids in the second round.

For Ubaldo, however, the fight is far from over.

“Silver lining ay first round pa lang, and yung standing namin hindi talaga siya yung wala nang pag-asa. Parang kahit though bad loss talaga, pero may chance pa naman kami para makabawi,” she said.

“Tulad ng sabi namin, hindi pa naman kami patay.”

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Tin Ubaldo believes that FEU’s bench will be ready to step up if Gerzel Petallo is out due to injury #ReadMore https://t.co/NB0m8Cjvj8

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University of the Philippines rose to the occasion just when the pressure threatened to boil over.

Behind the timely goals of Charles Lobitaña and Ramil Bation III, the Fighting Maroons reclaimed a title that seemed destined to slip through their fingers for another year.

Lobitaña’s composure, Bation III’s eye for goals, and the Fighting Maroons’ never-say-die attitude powered a dramatic comeback as UP stunned Far Eastern University, 2–1, in extra time in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Final, Monday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Top-seeded Fighting Maroons (29 points) rode their elimination round momentum all the way to a 20th men’s division championship.

After a 1–0 Final Four win over De La Salle University, UP overcame FEU to secure its first title since Season 86, repeating history against the same opponent they defeated two seasons ago in this competition.

“These guys deserve all the credit here,” said UP coach Popoy Clarino after guiding his team to victory in the tournament, held in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.

“They worked together for the whole year. They made sacrifices. It was a hard year, but because of the sacrifice and the love that they gave each other, they deserved to win this,” he added.

“They deserved to have this. What a final. I thank FEU for giving us a game that brought out the best in us.”

To claim the championship, the Fighting Maroons had to dig deep against the Tamaraws, who came agonizingly close to pulling off an upset in a second straight final that went into extra time.

Tamaraws midfielder Karl Absalon gave FEU a dream start, heading the ball home in the 45+2nd minute after Lobitaña miscleared Czam Acueta’s cross.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

UP intensified their attack in the second half, hunting for an equalizer with urgency.

Bation III, Shaun Saludez, and Joseph Garces each tested the Tamaraws’ defense, but the leveler remained elusive. The Fighting Maroons came close with a strike that rattled the woodwork and a goalmouth scramble that FEU eventually cleared.

It took the depths of stoppage time for UP to finally draw level.

Florenz Tacardon attacked the FEU box, earning a foul from Tamaraws defender Francis Sambaan. Lobitaña then redeemed his earlier mistake by calmly slotting home the spot-kick in the 90+9th minute.

Riding the momentum of Lobitaña’s equalizer, the Fighting Maroons carried their energy into the first half of extra time.

This time, it was Bation III’s turn to shine, converting a close-range cross in the 104th minute to secure the title for UP.

This victory, perhaps the sweetest of the bunch, completed a season sweep for the Fighting Maroons against the Tamaraws.

UP prevailed in all three encounters during Season 88, beginning with a convincing 3–1 win on September 25, 2025, followed by a gritty 1–0 shutout on January 15.

“For me, it’s just giving credit to these guys,” said Clarino. “All those fifth-year players decided to stay and help this team. It feels good to be back, but after today, we have to work on the next season. Learning doesn’t stop, and we’re very grateful to God for the opportunity to be in this final.”

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

Thanks to their pivotal roles in UP’s title run, Tacardon and Lobitaña were named co-Most Valuable Player awardees.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

The Fighting Maroons also claimed the Fair Play Award for accruing the fewest cautions. Meanwhile, Fonzy Gonzalez and Lobitaña were named Best Goalkeeper and Best Defender, respectively, after helping UP keep seven clean sheets and concede only eight goals.

Selwyn Mamon, who missed the final due to suspension, took home the Best Striker and Golden Boot awards after scoring 10 goals for FEU.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

Freshman Kean Niu earned Rookie of the Year honors following his consistent midfield performances for the Tamaraws.

Representing Ateneo de Manila University, Dov Cariño claimed Best Midfielder after scoring five goals and providing seven assists this season.

Completing the podium finishers, University of Santo Tomas secured the bronze medal for the first time since Season 86.

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