The FEU Lady Tamaraws leaned on a team effort in taking a commanding four-set victory UST to start UAAP Season 87.
The FEU Lady Tamaraws didn’t rely on one superstar but a total team effort as they nabbed a convincing victory over last season’s runners-up UST Golden Tigresses, 25-19, 16-25, 25-14, 25-20, in their opening game of UAAP Season 87 at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
That is, the Lady Tamaraws ended up with five players in double-digit scoring, and a total of 10 players contributing to the victory.
Against a shorthanded UST squad that's missing key players due to injury, FEU relied on its superior depth to eke out the win, sending a message that the Morayta-based team will be firmly in the title conversation this season.
[RELATED: FEU shows might in convincing win over shorthanded UST to start UAAP Season 87]
Nabbing Player of the Game honors, Gerzel Petallo knew it wasn’t just the work of one or two players, rather, they needed everyone on board.
“Yung masasabi ko lang po talagang teamwork po talaga. Hindi po isa lang, hindi po dalawa lang yung nagbubuhat ng team kundi kami po lahat nagko-contribute yun din po yung pinaka-big factor kaya po kami nanalo,” said Petallo.
Petallo had 15 markers, which included a whopping five blocks, to lead FEU’s defensive masterclass of 15 blocks in the win.
But Petallo was hardly the main source of offense, as Faida Bakanke ended up with a game-high 16 points, while Jean Asis added 14 markers of her own.
Always reliable for head coach Tina Salak was Chenie Tagaod, who chipped in 10 points as well.
It wasn’t just the stars, though, as the bench also contributed mightily. Transferee Jaz Ellarina had six points in just two sets played, while Clarisse Loresco had five in three cantos.
Thanks to her ever reliable teammates, Petallo said that it takes some of the pressure off, especially as the Lady Tamaraws hope to follow up on an impressive Final Four performance last season.
Understanding that FEU can get its scoring anywhere, Petallo can work on attacking without the worry of having to carry a heavy burden.
“Siguro po sa akin nakakatulong yun syempre hindi po talaga nawawala yung pressure sa game no so nakakatulong talaga yun,” said Petallo.
“So kailangan talagang unahin muna yung sarili saka doon na mag-continue na mag-contribute,” she added.
The FEU Lady Tamaraws gun for 2-0 when they face the UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, February 19, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.