With chance to write a brand new story this UAAP volleyball season, the FEU Lady Tamaraws are determined not to waste it.

“This is a different story now in the new season. We think that we are not the same team as before so why would we squander this opportunity to perform well inside the court and show our potential and how we play?” Jean Asis said.

Article continues after this advertisement

And the Lady Tamaraws have evidence to back it up after they fashioned a third straight victory in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament following a 23-25, 25-15, 25-13, 25-10 victory over Adamson on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: UAAP: Chenie Tagaod, FEU determined to reach Finals this time

After a 1-2 start following back-to-back losses to University of the Philippines and National University, the Tamaraws are in a good position now sporting a 4-2 card.

Article continues after this advertisement

“On behalf of coach [Tina Salak], who’s sick, we are happy with the performance by the players that we saw,” assistant coach Manolo Refugia said. “[Our hard work] is bearing fruit from our heartbreaking losses that filled us with emotions so slowly we are returning to form and showing the true FEU Lady Tamaraws.”

FEU Lady Tamaraws’ Gerzel Petallo. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Gerzel Petallo led FEU’s charge with 16 points on 14 attacks and two aces, Asis contributed 14 points built on six attacks, five aces and three blocks and Faida Bakanke finished with 13 points.

“For me, we really are a contender now, not only a dark horse like in the last season,” Petallo said referring to her crew’s fourth-place finish after bowing out in the semifinals to eventual champion National University.

READ: UAAP: FEU wins back to back, sweeps UE in women’s volleyball

“They say that we aren’t ready yet since we only hung on to fourth place but now we will really bring the fight and we’re gonna showcase our talents and what we are working for as a team,” she added.

Petallo’s performance also featured 15 excellent receptions as Tin Ubaldo allowed FEU’s offense to hum like a well-oiled machine with 16 excellent sets.

“We saw the potential of the team and what we can really do so after the back-to-back losses, we realized that we are not the team from before,” Asis said.

Bucking an opening frame loss, the Tamaraws went to work and by the fourth set rushed to a 14-4 advantage. From then on, FEU refused to allow the Lady Falcons to have a repeat, utilizing a 6-0 run to shut down Adamson.

Rising star Shaina Nitura still shone with 24 points and 13 excellent receptions in the losing stand that sent Adamson to a 2-3 record after a second consecutive loss.

Frances Mordi chipped in 12 points as well as 11 excellent digs and 17 excellent receptions while Felicity Sagaysay tossed 13 excellent sets.

FEU guns for a fourth straight win to wrap up its first round schedule versus La Salle on March 15 at Smart Araneta Coliseum as Adamson encounters another difficult challenge in the Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday, still at MoA Arena.