UAAP: FEU Lady Tamaraws lean on 'clutch' Lovely Lopez in win streak

Lovely Lopez has been the answer for the FEU Lady Tamaraws in endgame moments during their two-game winning stretch in UAAP Season 88, with their latest victory coming against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Lopez supplied five points in a crucial stretch in an extended third set to tow FEU to victory, 25-17, 25-17, 26-24, and give the Lady Tamaraws their first win run of the tournament.



Though still far from the star power of hitters who came before her like pros Chenie Tagaod and Jean Asis, Lopez has emerged as a go-to scorer for the Morayta-based squad, especially when the game is on the line.

After the match, setter Tin Ubaldo spoke about their connection, with Lopez' infectious energy on the court trickling down to her teammates.

While some may not take her easygoing personality as a good sign, Ubaldo believes its a testament to her confidence and how she's ready to take on anything that's thrown at her from the other side of the net.

"Actually, last year pa, 'pag pinapasok si Lovely talaga, may mga clutch moments. Naalala niyo ba yung kaldag niya [last year]?" Ubaldo quipped, speaking of Lopez' colorful celebrations on the court.

"‘Yon yung tumatak sa akin na pagkatiwalaan si Lovely during clutch moments."

Whether her cheerful demeanor has anything to do with it, there's no denying that she's been reliable as ever in the endgame.

Lopez finished with eight points in the win over Ateneo, showing off a balanced attack with four attack points and four blocks in her performance.

At the end of the day, she really just wants to help her team gain the advantage in tough moments.

"For me po happy lang po ako na naglalaro and ineenjoy ko lang every moment na nasa loob po ako ng court yun lang po," said Lopez.

Still, more will be expected from Lopez as the Lady Tamaraws vie for bigger fish in a highly competitive UAAP women's volleyball landscape.

Other spikers who rose to the occasion against Ateneo like Faida Bakanke (12 points), Gerz Petallo (nine points), and Jaz Ellarina (11 points) will also be leaned upon by head coach Tina Salak and the Morayta-based squad in their quest for UAAP glory.



FEU's next test comes in the form of a high-morale UP Fighting Maroons squad who are coming off of an upset win over the NU Lady Bulldogs last weekend.

They face off at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, March 7.

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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.

Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.