FEU
FEU bounces back, sweeps UE for first win in UAAP Women’s Volleyball
Far Eastern University vented its frustration on University of the East, 25-20, 25-14, 25-14, to notch its first win in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Eager to bounce back from a straight-sets loss to the De La Salle University Lady Spikers last Saturday, the Lady Tamaraws overcame a tight opening set before dominating the next two frames to level their record at 1-1.
FEU also moved into a tie for fourth place with the Shaina Nitura-led Adamson University, which fell in three sets to National University Lady Bulldogs earlier in the day.
Behind the efforts of Lovely Lopez, Congolese wing spiker Faida Bakanke, and Jaz Ellarina, the Lady Tamaraws gained momentum heading into a crucial showdown against the defending champion and unbeaten NU Lady Bulldogs — the same squad that eliminated them in the Final Four over the past two seasons — on Saturday, February 21, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Siguro yung lagi nila sinasabi sa amin nila coach yung slow start namin, and mas ma-polish namin yung serve pass kasi mostly doon kami nawawalan ng rally pag nawawalan kami ng pasa and service. ‘Yon yung mas pinagfo-focusan namin,” said Ellarina, who bounced back with 11 points built on five attacks, five blocks, and one ace.
“Ngayon, pinaliwanag nila sa akin na hindi lang palo ang gagawin ko; kailangan kong mag-commit sa net sa blockings. Hindi siya magagawa overnight, kaya process talaga siya. Months and until now, nahihirapan pa rin ako. Willing ako to accept the pressure na maging isang leader at inaasahan nila sa blockings,” she added.
Head coach Tina Salak and lead assistant Manolo Refugia did not attend the post-game press conference.
The Lady Warriors were competitive early, keeping within striking distance in the opening set and trimming the deficit to 8-7 in the third. However, the Lady Tamaraws broke the match open with a decisive 8-1 run — capped by back-to-back attacks from Bakanke and Gerz Petallo, along with a UE attack error — to seize a commanding 16-8 advantage.
UE struggled to recover from there. Consecutive Bakanke hits, a quick attack from Mitzi Panangin, a Bea Zamudio attack error, and a game-winning off-the-block hit from Alyssa Devosora completed FEU’s bounce-back victory in 76 minutes.
Prior to the dominant third set, FEU had already asserted control in the second frame, racing to an 18-8 lead and never looking back. Two attacks from Ellarina and a center line foot fault by the Lady Warriors sealed the 2-0 set cushion.
Bakanke finished with 11 points on 10 attacks and added three excellent digs, while Petallo delivered an all-around performance with nine points on six attacks, two blocks, and one ace, along with nine excellent digs and six excellent receptions.
Setter Tin Ubaldo orchestrated the offense with 10 excellent sets, on top of four attacks and three blocks.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other side, the Lady Warriors remained winless after two games, extending their losing streak to 16 matches dating back to a winless Season 87 campaign and an opening-day loss to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons last Saturday.
No UE player reached double figures in scoring.
Khy Cepada led the way with nine points on eight attacks, along with six excellent receptions and three excellent digs. Zamudio added seven points and nine excellent receptions.
Bangayan chipped in eight points on seven attacks and three excellent digs, while graduating libero Angge Reyes tallied 14 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions.
UE looks to end its skid when it faces Adamson on the same date and at the same venue.
The post FEU bounces back, sweeps UE for first win in UAAP Women’s Volleyball appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
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.
The post UP stages dramatic comeback to claim UAAP Men’s Football title appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
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