Saturday, December 24, 2011

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





Tuesday, October 18, 2011

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

UAAP Season 70 Women's Volleyball

After their unsuccessful stint in the 69th Season Women's Volleyball Championship, they came back in season 70 with talented rookie reinforcements, one of them was Shaira Gonzalez. In Season 70, FEU's key losses were Mary Ann Manalo and Genelyn Alemania but with their improved line-up and a new head coach in the person of Coach Ernesto 'Ness' Pamilar brought them back to the finals again.

In the absence of Mary Ann Manalo who is in their starting six in season 69, super rookie Shaira Gonzalez pumped-up with the challenge in delivering the points in the left-wing side of the court. Also, Rose Ann Taganas was the new libero replacing Genelyn Alemania.

Elimination Round, FEU suffered 2 losses with Adamson Lady falcons during the elimination round. They ended with a 12-2 win-loss record. After the elimination round, there was a three-way tie with ADU, FEU and UST having 12-2 win-loss record. ADU emerged as the number 1 team as per ratio stats while FEU got the number 2 slot after defeating UST in 4 sets in a play-off game. Also, Ateneo made it to the final four after years of placing in the 5th-8th mark.

FEU knocked out the UST Tigresses in 5 sets [25-19, 25-19, 15-25, 21-25, 15-9] and sent the defending champion home. Rachel Ann Daquis and Shaira Gonzalez were named Best Players of the Game. On the other side, Adamson stunned and closed the doors for Ateneo in their hunt for a finals appearance in 3 sets.

POG: Rachel Ann Daquis and Shaira Gonzalez


Finals Game 1, Adamson, who defeated FEU in the elimination round repeated their win as they out-clashed the Lady Tams in 5 sets [25-23, 20-25, 24-26, 26-24, 7-15].
But the team adjusted in Game 2 as they snatched a win for the first time in season 70 against Adamson in 4 sets [25-18, 16-25, 25-10, 25-21]. In March 2, 2008, it was judgment day for both team. Adamson, who has been due for championship for 30 long years really gave their best in game 3. On the other hand, FEU with all the momentum in their hands after Game 2 really took advantage in game 3. Two deserving team but only one will prevail. FEU Lady Tams extended the game into the 5th set after 2 sets loss in the game 3. During the fourth set, the Lady Tams mean all business and in game face as they took it. In the fifth set, Adamson lead in the early part of the game but with FEU's championship experience they grab the lead and sent them into Championship Point. But Adamson didn't want to give FEU the championship in a silver platter as they saved one match point. Service specialist Jennifer Hiponia was sent in to replace Michelle Segodine in the service area, but with all the pressure in Hiponia's shoulders she threw out a serve and gave FEU their 29th Championship after 5 years. In the awarding ceremony, Wendy Ann Semana who also happened to be the Team Captain and playing in her 5th Final Year, was named Most Valuable Player. And let me quote the commentators' statement " They were not able to beat them in the elimination, they only beat them twice two straight games pa"

GAME 3: 5TH SET

5th Set - Part 1


5th Set - Part 2



FEU WVT Season 70 Line-Up:
1 - Jose, April Linor (1st Yr)
2 - Taganas, Rose Anne (L) (2nd Yr)
3 - Daquis, Rachel Ann (4th Yr)
4 - Shaira, Gonzales (1st Yr)
5 - Sison, Charmaine (1st Yr)
6 - Cafranca, Josephine (4th Yr)
7 - Semana, Wendy Anne (C) (5th Yr)
8 - Penaranda, Janine (1st Yr)
9 - Morada, Mecaila Irish May (2nd Yr)
10 - Samera, Angelie (1st Yr)
11 - Vivas, Cherry May (1st Yr)
12 - Abanto, Anna Camille (3rd Yr)
13 - Tolentino, Marigail (1st Yr)
14 - Cabanag, Mary Rose (2nd Yr)
* Bold names were part of the Starting Six

Team Rankings:
1 - FEU
2 - ADU
3 - UST
4 - ADMU
5 - UP
6 - NU
7 - DLSU
8 - UE

Awardees:
Best Scorer: Maria Rosario Soriano (ADMU)
Best Attacker: Mary Jean Balse (UST)
Best Blocker: Celine Hernandez (DLSU)
Best Server: Rissa Jane Laguiles (ADU)
Best Digger: Lizlee Ann Gata (ADU)
Best Setter: Jannet Serafica (ADU)
Best Receiver: Maria Rosario Soriano (ADMU)
Rookie of the Year: Ma. Carmina Denise Acevedo (ADMU)
Most Valuable Player: Wendy Anne Semana (FEU)

UAAP Season 69 Women's Volleyball Finals

In school year 2006-2007 the UAAP Season 69 was held. The UAAP Board has decided to move the Indoor Volleyball Tournament in the second semester.  In the Women's Volleyball Tournament the FEU Lady Tamaraws and UST Tigresses emerged to the finals and will battle it out on a best-of-three finals game. Before the season ended, FEU emerge as the number 1 team with an 11-1 win loss record. FEU Lady Tams' starting six were Rachel Ann Daquis, Mary Ann Manalo (C), Mecaila Irish Mae Morada, Ma. Josephine Cafranca, Wendy Anne Semana, Camille Ann Abanto and Genelyn Alemania (L). Also in the line-up are Mary Rose Cabanag, Rose Anne Taganas, Benin etc.

Their loss was during in the first round where UST beat them in 4 sets [19-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-17]. But FEU swagged off the Tigresses in the second round as they redeem their loss in 5 thrilling sets [22-25, 25-18, 25-14, 14-25, 15-13].

After the elimination rounds FEU, UST, ADU and UE move up for the Final Four matches. FEU easily pounded the Lady Warriors in 3 short sets [25-9, 25-19, 25-18]. As for the UST Tigresses, they had to win their second match against the Lady falcons as they loss to Adamson in 4 sets in game 1, UST had a twice-to-beat advantage as they ranked number 2 in the team rankings after the second round of elimination.

In February 18, 2007, the most awaited Finals Game 1 between the Lady Tams and Tigresses was held. The venue of the game was on the Ateneo Gym. UST got the first 2 sets but FEU bounced back and took the third set. In the fourth set, UST closed the match as they drilled down the Lady Tams [25-14, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20]. In Game 2 of the Finals, it was a rather easy job for the UST Tigresses to clinge their 13th Championship which the supporters of the Lady Tams didn't expect the turn out of the game. The scores are [25-11, 25-22, 25-18] which queued the end of the 69th Season of the UAAP Volleyball Tournament on February 21, 2007.
 

Team Ranking:
1 - UST
2 - FEU
3 - ADU
4 - UE
5 - UP
6 - ADMU
7 - NU
* DLSU was suspended in all games

Awardees:
Best Scorer: Venus Bernal (UST)
Best Attacker: Mary Ann Manalo (FEU)
Best Blocker: Bea Sharmaine Pascual (ADMU)
Best Server: Rachel Ann Daquis (FEU)
Best Digger: Patricia Lynn Taganas (ADMU)
Best Setter: Denise Patricia Tan (UST
Best Receiver: Donaleil Adajar (ADU)
Rookie of the Year: Mecaila Irish Mae Morada (FEU)
Most Valuable Player: Venus Bernal (UST)


Here are some of the clips during the Finals Game 1:

By ADMIN: feutams

It has been a while since the Far Eastern University Volleyball Team Facebook Page has been active with updates with the teams' games and players. I was so busy with a lot of things and I needed to have a break with the happenings of my personal life. But as of today, I  would like to inform all the followers of the FB Page that I will be active again, as a matter of fact, I will try my very best to give updates regarding the upcoming UniGames to be held in Roxas City and the health condition of some of the injured players.

The FB Page http://www.facebook.com/feuvt is under renovation for the better. I also created this blogsite in order for me to update you guys with Videos, Game Stats, Pictures and more. Also, this blogsite will serve as a long form of details about the team and players as I have some new features which will be announce both in FB Page and Here.

More things to come so "Expect the Unexpected"


ADMIN: feutams