" B " Best

Every season in the UAAP new discoveries and names will be unfold and hopes to become the future superstars in the collegiate volleyball competition. After parading 11 rookies last season 73, the FEU Lady Tams has shown talented prospects as well as players who already carved their names as volleybelles to watch out for in every game. One of the 11 rookies who have proven her power in the open hitter position is RoseMarie Vargas, this sophomore Olongapo native has been spectacular in every game. Power hits and tenacious defense has been her specialty. She was even named as one of the most powerful spikers this season. But in the game of volleyball, its not a one-woman show, it has to be a team effort. To back up this young powerful spiker, the Lady Tams has brought this season Improving Sophomore Marie Toni Basas and Neophytes Setter/ Spiker Mary Rose Baniel and Open Hitter Richelle Ma. Winonah Bagang.


Marie Toni "MaiMai" Basas

Last season 73 she was actually part of the starting six in their opening game against National University, but Marie Toni was replaced by Danna Henson in the open hitter position. For almost the entire season, she was benched by the coaching staff, the last game she was put in was their last game versus the University of the Philippines where in she scored the last point to end their season 73.

After one year, MaiMai showed a lot of improvement in every game. After donning jersey number 16 last season, she switched up her jersey to number 4 this year. This Tacloban native is now back to her role as the wing hitter in the left side. But not all was satisfied by her performance, a lot of fans posted that she shouldn't be part of the starting 6 of the Lady Tams. But MaiMai slowly but surely is improving in every game. With that high leap, fast serve and long spikes, this sophomore is yet to proved that she is indeed a girl to watch out for in the coming games.

One of the most memorable plays she had was when she gave Ateneo's libero a facial and everyone including her teammates was wowed by her court sense.



Mary Rose "Bicol" Baniel

Wearing jersey number 11 this season is Mary Rose Baniel, who originally came from the Bicol Region. This young rookie was already hype last season but because she needed to have residency first, she was sit out fro the roster. Bicol, as how her teammates call her, reminds the FEU community of a young Wendy Anne Semana, not that tall but has the ability to spike as well as set the ball to her teammates.

After the early exit of Maica Morada, Bicol has earned her starting position as the utility spiker, replacing the original utility hitter in Mayjorie Roxas, who was turned as middle hitter. There are games that she played well, but there were also game that she was sporadic with her points. But nevertheless, this talented neophyte is still in the learning process, and improvement is very soon to come. With every game she is put on, she has proven that she is a thinking player and more mature compared to other rookies.

What's impressive about Bicol is that she always raise her hands to block the opponents and one of her offensive blocks was when she denied Mayette Zapanta and seal-off the second set to give FEU a 2-0 lead.



Richelle Ma. Winonah Bagang

Winonah, a Pampangena, is also a rookie to watch out for. Her first appearance on the taraflex floor was in their first game this season against University of the East. She replaced Basas at the late part of the second set and this girl showed that she can definitely spike that Mikasa ball. Winonah scored a couple of points just in the second set and delivered the last point to give FEU 2-0 lead against the Lady Warriors.

She may not be as tall as the other starting six, but what's impressive with her is that when she is put on to play, she will deliver the points in any ways. With experience coming her way, Winonah will surely get that starting line-up position and will stun us in her every attacks.

MaiMai

Get To Know Them More:


Name: Marie Tonie Torres Basas
Nickname: MaiMai
Birthdate: September 6, 1993
Hometown: Tacloban City
High School: Eastern Visayas State University
Jersey Number: 4
Position: Open Hitter
Playing Year: 2nd

Bicol

 

Name: Mary Rose Zabala Baniel
Nickname: Bicol
Birthdate: November 10, 1991
Hometown: Sipocot, Camarines Sur
High School: Sipocot National High School
Jersey Number: 11
Position: Utility Spiker
Playing Year: 1st

Winona

Name: Richelle Ma. Winonah Bagang
Nicknames:Winonah/ Winz/ Ching
Birthdate: November 29, 1993
Hometown: Floridablanca, Pampanga
High School:St. Augustine Academy of Pampanga
Jersey Number: 6
Position: Open Hitter
Playing Year: 1st

Future Career Decision: Maica Morada

Shirt tagging/ Morada Way

When you talk about Philippine Women's Volleyball, her name should be on the list. Mecaila Irish May Morada, wearing jersey #9, born July 27, 1990 is one of the famous and most admired middle hitter and blocker in the UAAP and other women's volleyball tournament. Finished her high school in Quezon City High School and was admitted in Far Eastern University for college.

Maica Morada played her rookie year in FEU as a middle hitter was already in the starting line-up of the Lady Tamaraws. Because of her impressive game and shone the most out of the neophytes, she was hailed as the Rookie of the Year. In her second playing year, FEU grabbed its 29th Championship against Adamson University in 2008 and one the reason of that was Maica. After season 70, some key players already graduated and it was her along with Shaira Gonzalez, Cherry May Vivas, April Linor Jose, Monique Tiangco, Mary Rose Cabanag, libero Rose Ann Taganas, and Team Captain Rachel Ann Daquis brought FEU to the finals in three consecutive years. Although they weren't able to defend their crown, they showed heart which is why the FEU Lady Tams has had the most number of followings in the women's volleyball.

In season 72, much to the surprised of the FEU community, Maica decided to skip the season to focus on her studies. It was a relatively different FEU Lady Tams  in season 72 where in they finished 5th at the end of the season despite the big improvement of Season 72 Best Scorer and MVP Cherry May Vivas.

Her ComeBack: In season 73, Maica decided to play again which brought the entire FEU fans to get excited for her return. But its not the same team that Morada has to deal with, the team is composed of rookies, inexperience but talented. Playing as the solo veteran in the team, she took the challenge to lead the team in its journey in season 73. She played at the start of the season injured due to overplaying, she still manage to compose her team and made a statement " Expect the Unexpected " as the season ends for them which they ranked 5th tied with National University.

Into the double block

Last Playing Year: In November 26, 2011, UAAP season 74 officially opened. Maica playing in her last year was held Team Captain. In their first two games, they showed everyone that they are a team to beat this season. Sweeping UE and UP in 3 straight sets. But what shocked the volleyball aficionados, is when they stretched last year 1st runner-up UST and Champion DLSU into 5 setters. In their last game with Adamson which they swept in 3 sets, Maica didn't play. One of the reasons that time was disciplinary actions. The FEU fans wondered why is this happening, is this a sign of another fall out? But all questions were answered on the FEU-Ateneo game when Mark Molina finally confirm that Morada is officially out of the team because she already found work. All of the followers of the Lady Tams were saddened of such happening, others found it as a early preparation since she will be out of the team by next season. But nevertheless, it was a shocker not just to the FEU fans, also for the entire UAAP women's volleyball fanatic.

Look at the form of her hit

She Bids GoodBye: "Mananalo pa rin sila. Para sakin din naman 'to. Mahirap, pero kailangan kayanin" , statement coming from Maica herself. She is currently working as a clerk in Meralco Mandaluyong Branch.


Awards & Recognition
UAAP Season 69: Rookie of the Year
UAAP Season 71: Best Server
Shakey V-League Season 6 C1: Best Server

FEU Lady Tamaraws' Season 74 Team Captain

Single Blocker

Back-To-Back Champions: Beach VolleyBall

For two consecutive years now FEU MVT topped the UAAP Men's Beach Volleyball Tournament. After their back-to-back heart breaking loss to UST in Season 71 and 72, FEU broke the spell that cursed them to be bridesmaids of UST. Taking back to the history, it was on Season 69 when Beach Volleyball was started as a demonstration game held in UE-Caloocan Beach Volley Court. The First 2 title was awarded to FEU but they failed to defend their crown to UST in Season 71.

UAAP Season 73 Champions

MVP: Nestor Molate

In season  73, FEU swept the elimination as they went straight to the finals with a 7-0 win-loss record. It was the duo of Nestor Molate and Arvin Avila  back-up by Maverick Gabriel that made this record possible. In the Final Four Round, a step-ladder format is observed. Aside from FEU, Adamson, UST and UP completed the list. Defending champs UST needed to win 2 games before making it to the finals. FEU, the top 1 seeded team was just all waiting for their match in the finals, and we could say that they are super fresh. FEU in 2-straight sets dethrone the Tigers and redeemed their crown after 2 years. It was also a celebration in the FEU side as the high leaper and top scorer Nestor Molate named as Most Valuable Player.

UAAP Season 74 Champions

MVP: Arvin Avila

 After their victorious quest for championship in season 73, FEU wanted to bring home the crown again for a 2-peat success. With the absence of last year's MVP Nestor Molate who also finished his 5th Playing yr in UAAP, a new spiker was needed to fill in in his absence. It was Karl Ian Dela Calzada and returning player Arvin Avila back-up by Rodrigo Del Rosario, Jr. that built the stronghold of FEU in the crown. For the second time FEU swept the elimination round and headed straight to the finals. ADU, UST and UP completed the cast of the final and undergone a knock-out game to reveal the team who will make it to the finals. It was UST who will be facing FEU in the finals. Some changes were made this year, one of them was a best-of-three game in the finals. But FEU didn't mind this changes as they swept the UST Tigers in the Finals in game 2. With a back-to-back title in season 73 and 74, it was also a reason for them to celebrate as Arvin Avila who has been very steady with his game carve his name in the UAAP as he was awarded as Most Valuable Player.



Not to the surprise of every Tamaraw fan, FEU is the league's finest volleyball team. In indoor volleyball FEU MVT and WVT hold the record as the winningest team in the UAAP with 24 and 29 championship into their names respectively. In the women's division of the beach volleyball tournament, FEU also made a back-to-back championship. It happened on season 70 and 71 were they defeated Ateneo and UE in the finals respectively.

In season 70, the FEU Sand Spikers snatched their first championship in the beach volley tournament. Playing for FEU in season 70 were MVP Wendy Anne Semana (Beach Volley and Indoor) and Rookie of the Year Shaira Gonzalez (Beach Volley). On the next season, FEU defended their crown as they sent home UE in the finals game that was held in UE-Caloocan Beach Volley Court. It wasn't the team-up of Semana and Gonzalez that made this possible for FEU, it was set of 2 new other girls who played for FEU. Lefty Spiker Anna Camille Abanto and Marigail Tolentino delivered the goods and brought home the crown for a 2-peat. Also, Anna Camille Abanto was named Most Valuable Player.

UAAP Season 70 Champions

UAAP Season 71 Champions

MVP: Anna Camille Abanto