Far Eastern University (FEU) will leave no stone unturned in its buildup for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament firing off next month.

An impressive pre-season run where they landed with podium finishes has given the Lady Tamaraws a morale boost and momentum as they shoot for another crack at barging into the finals for the first time in seven years.

With head coach Tina Salak back in the fold and the return of veteran players led by prized setter Tin Ubaldo, expectations are high for the UAAP’s winningest team, which has not tasted a championship in almost two decades.

“As the next UAAP season draws closer, all teams are working harder to elevate their game. You can’t expect the competition to be the same as last year. All teams are maturing and as you can see during the pre-season everybody has raised their level of play,” FEU assistant coach Manolo Refugia said.

“So, we have to be prepared as well,” added Refugia, who took the reins last year after Salak stepped down to process her papers to migrate to the US.

FEU made the most of its time after a fourth-place finish in Season 86 last year as they joined different pre-season tournaments to gauge their strength and build chemistry.

The Lady Tamaraws copped a runner-up finish in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals where they dragged title-favorite and reigning UAAP champion National University to a pair of thrilling five setters in the best-of-three finals.

FEU also reached the championship round of the 2024 V-League Collegiate Challenge. It gave University of Santo Tomas a tough time before bowing in the best-of-three series that went the full distance.

Despite falling short of a title stint in the SSL Collegiate Preseason Championship, the Lady Tamaraws salvaged a podium finish after beating the Golden Tigresses in a come-from-behind five-setter decision in the battle for bronze.

Ubaldo’s improved playmaking has made the likes of holdovers Chenie Tagaod, Faida Bakanke, Alyzza Devosora, Jean Asis, Mitzi Panangin, Gerzel Petallo, Jaz Ellarina and rookie Clarisse Loresco shine.

Still, Refugia and the FEU coaching staff see the Lady Tamaraws far from where they want them to be for the UAAP wars.

“I guess we’re still a work in progress. The level of competition in the UAAP is a lot different,” the former Tamaraws standout said.

“The preparation is different. We have to be ready for a long and tough season. Aside from that, we have to make sure that the players will stay healthy, which will be our biggest challenge.”

Last year, FEU shocked the top seed and twice-to-beat Lady Bulldogs after forcing a do-or-die in the Final Four. The Lady Tamaraws, however, were swept in the sudden death.

The Lady Tamaraws last entered the UAAP finals in 2018 behind prolific scorer Bernadeth Pons but lost to De La Salle University in two games.

FEU’s last of its 29 championships overall was in 2008 when the Lady Tamaraws led by Rachel Anne Daquis and Maica Morada defeated Adamson University.