Far Eastern University’s Faida Bakanke and Chenie Tagaod In their UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball match vs. University of the Philippines. Photo from UAAP Media/Neo Garcia.MANILA — Far Eastern University scored a crucial victory as the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Final 4 race heats up.

Through the heroics of Faida Bakanke and Chenie Tagaod, the Lady Tamaraws survived a tough stance from University of the Philippines on Sunday, with the duo delivering the crucial plays to help the Morayta-based spikers earn its seventh win in 11 outings.

FEU not only boosted its chance of a spot in the semifinals due to the victory. They also kept their twice-to-beat advantage hopes alive, as they are not that far from the current second-placers De La Salle University (8-3) and University of Santo Tomas which is also at 7-4.

READ: Faida Bakanke leads way as FEU overcomes UP in hard-earned 4-setter

For Lady Tams head coach Tina Salak, what allowed FEU to recover from their third set loss as well as seeing their 12-3 advantage disappear against UP was the communication that they maintained amid the errors and the mishaps that they committed.

“I asked them kung ano yung problema, kasi kahit ako hindi ko alam,” said the veteran mentor. “Every time they step on the court, kailangan silang mag usap how to solve yung problema.”

With the help of Bakanke and Tagaod, as well as the efforts of Gerz Petallo and Tin Ubaldo, FEU managed to turn their 20-16 disadvantage into a 26-24 win in the fourth set.

Despite these, the Lady Tams still need to elevate their game more as they want to enter the Final 4 equipped with a twice-to-beat incentive -- unlike in Season 86.

“Need pa namin taasan yung standard at yung trabaho namin,” said Tagaod, who finished with 14 points, 18 receptions, and three digs. “Mas gusto pa naming angatan yung third spot. “

And while Bakanke is confident that her fellow Lady Tams will be able to achieve this, Salak emphasized that the only way that they can do so is by stepping up, as a unit, even further.

“I’m very confident in myself and my teammates,” said Bakanke, who had 20 points and seven digs. “This is like last year, but now, we should focus on not giving up. We need to stay composed.”

“Ang magagawa lang naman namin is to push them, motivate them, and give yung game plan, pero the rest, sila yun eh,” Salak added.

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