FEU Lady Tamaraws bronze finish in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Pre-season Championship. –SSL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University pulled the rug from under University of Santo Tomas, 20-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12,  to capture the bronze medal of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Pre-season Championship on Sunday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Lady Tamaraws overcame a two-set-to-one deficit, dominating the fourth, where the Tigresses, unfortunately, lost Jonna Perdido after her left knee fell awkwardly from her attack attempt that went out, giving FEU a 13-9 lead.

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FEU dominated the fourth to force a decider, nailing five of their 17 blocks in the set to finish the bronze medal game in two hours and 36 minutes.

READ: UST Tigresses outlast FEU Lady Tamaraws to clinch V-League crown

The Morayta-based spikers started the set with a 9-4 lead with Faida Bakanke and Jaz Ellarina hosting the block party. However, Angge Poyos and Kyla Cordora willed UST back, cutting down the lead to 11-10.

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Cordora’s service went off the mark, which allowed FEU to make a run with Tin Ubaldo and Alyzza Devosora putting their team at match point, 14-11. Poyos saved a point but Ellarina slammed the door for their second consecutive bronze in the pre-season championship.

FEU Lady Tamaraws bronze finish in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Pre-season Championship. –SSL PHOTO

The Lady Tamaraws also had a runner-up finish in this year’s National Invitationals and avenged their defeat to the Tigresses in the V-League finals.

“Of course, it’s something to be proud of because we finished the pre-season, especially since this is the last pre-season tournament we’ll be joining. We’re proud—Coach Tina and I—that we still made it to the podium, so we’re really happy,” said FEU deputy coach Manolo Refugia, who stepped in to coach the team due to Tina Salak’s prior commitment.

READ: UAAP: FEU Lady Tamaraws hope to capitalize on Cinderella run

Ellarina led the way for FEU with 13 points off 10 kills and three blocks. Gerz Petallo had 11 points including three blocks. Faida Bakanke had 10 points including three from the fifth set, while Devosora and Chenie Tagaod added nine each. 

“Super happy because all our hard work paid off. You know, we don’t feel the exhaustion because what we feel is pure joy,” said Ubaldo, who tallied 18 excellent sets and contributed four points.

UST, last year’s runner-up, settled for fourth place, losing to FEU two games in a row including its straight-set defeat in the second round.

FINAL: FEU pulls off a come-from-behind 20-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12 win over UST to capture the bronze medal in the #ShakeysSuperLeague2024. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/UPdt4TcmoR

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) November 24, 2024

Poyos carried the Tigresses with 21 points. Perdido had 11 points before hurting her left knee, while Reg Jurado added 10.

FEU eyes overseas training, seeking to sustain its momentum from a fruitful preseason and translate it to a successful Season 87. 

“The closer the UAAP gets, the more the level of play rises for all teams. It’s not the same as last year because all the teams are maturing, so the competition really intensifies,” said Refugia. “Coach Tina has set a high standard, starting with how they approach training, their character, and their attitude.”

“We’re still far from our goal because the UAAP is a completely different level. It requires unique preparation, ensuring the players stay healthy throughout the long season—that’s what we really need to focus on.”