The FEU Lady Tamaraws open their 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge schedule with a strong win over Mapua.
Far Eastern University, determined to move past the heartbreak of last season’s runner-up finish, began its 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge campaign with a dominant straight-sets win over Mapua University, 25-15, 25-22, 25-21, Sunday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.
The Lady Tamaraws displayed composure and firepower – especially in the third set– where Congolese opposite Faida Bakanke took over.
With the score tied at 15, she delivered three crucial aces in a momentum-shifting run that put FEU ahead, 18-15. From there, the Lady Tams never looked back.
Bakanke finished with an all-around outing of 12 points off six attacks, three blocks and three aces, while also contributing four digs. Mitzi Panangin chipped in 10 points, highlighted by five spikes, three blocks and two aces.
Mapua, led by captain Alyanna Ong, kept the pressure on in the final frame, forcing a 19-all count after an FEU error.
But senior setter and team captain Tin Ubaldo orchestrated a decisive 6-2 closing run, capped by a down-the-line hit from Gerzel Petallo to seal the win.
“Yung point lang talaga namin this time is hindi para makabawi, pero para mag-improve lang talaga from last time,” said Ubaldo.
“Andyan lang naman 'yan kung magagawa namin nang maayos. Hindi kami naka-focus do'n sa talagang win, kundi do'n sa process kung paano kami mananalo. Yung pagsali namin rito is hindi do'n sa redemption talaga – for me lang.”
The Lady Tams dominated the opening set, with a late 8-3 run sparked by bench contributions from Madane David and Frenchie Premaylon sealing the deal in the early going of the tournament orgnanized by Sports Vision.
In set 2, Mapua showed grit, battling back from an 8-16 hole and trimming the deficit to one, 21-22, after an ace from Juliana Estudillo.
However, a service error on the next play halted their run, allowing FEU to regain control and take a 2-0 set lead.
No Mapuan reached double figures, with Zyra Morales and Alyanna Ong managing only eight points apiece.
FEU will aim for back-to-back wins when it faces UAAP rival Adamson U on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. at the same venue.
Mapua, who fell to 0-2, looks to bounce back next Saturday against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA at 10:00 a.m.