Far Eastern University (FEU) has unveiled its 2024 Heights of Excellence featuring top student-athletes. A group comprising of rising and established stars, these Tamaraws are the faces of the university as it aims for another strong campaign in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
Mary Joy Tan
Woman National Master Mary Joy Tan was the dominant force behind FEU winning the UAAP Season 86 Women's Chess championship. The Bachelor of Science in Accountancy junior bagged the Most Valuable Player title along with a gold medal on Board 2. It was FEU’s sixth women’s title with the latest happening in Season 82. She recently competed in the 21st Bangkok Chess Club Open 2024 and won third place.
Diane Shyr Paquidian Taranza
The FEU Track and Field Team rebounded from a disappointing UAAP Season 85 with a silver finish in Season 86 with Diane Taranza playing a key role. Taranza secured a gold medal in the women's long jump, clearing 6.04 meters which is equal to the bronze medal benchmark established by Bui Thi Loan of Vietnam, who recorded 6.02 meters during the 2023 SEA Games. She is expected to contend for a spot in the national team and in international competitions soon.
Althea Descutido
Front and center in the FEU Cheering Squad's unbelievable championship run in the UAAP Season 86 Cheerdance Competition (CDC) is team captain Althea Descutido. The senior BS in Exercises and Sports Science Major in Fitness and Sports Management student played Princess Peach in the squad's routine that was inspired by the iconic video game Super Mario Bros. Her team swept all special awards and won first place, which upped FEU's CDC championship count to four and podium finish to a league record 21. Individually, she is a bemedaled gymnast, having won several times in Palarong Pambansa and winning competitions in Ukraine and Mexico.
Dionesa Tolentin
Affectionately called "Inday" by her teammates, Dionesa Tolentin was the undisputed Most Valuable Player in the UAAP Season 86 Women's Football Tournament. The team went undefeated all season and defeated De La Salle University 2-1 in extra time to cop its 12th UAAP title to once again emerge as the most successful women’s football program in the league. Tolentin also earned the Golden Boot and Best Striker awards and was called on to play for the Philippine team in early 2024. She already holds a degree in Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Sciences major in Fitness and Sports Management and on pace to earn her second degree. while also targeting to lead FEU to a third straight UAAP championship.
Ernie Calipay
Erine Calipay is on track to become the next track and field star from FEU. In the UAAP Season 86 Men's Athletics Tournament, he ruled the high jump with a height of 2.05 meters, a mere centimeter higher than the Season 77 mark set by Janry Ubas, a former Tamaraw. As a team, the Tamaraws won the bronze. His room for improvement is still high considering he is only in his second year as a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science Major in Fitness and Sports Management student. Before entering college, he established records in Palarong Pambansa and the National Capital Region competitions.
Francis Veejay Pre
Expectations are high for Francis Veejay Pre to lead the FEU Men's Basketball Team back to contention after missing out in the UAAP Final Four for two straight years. Veejay was a vital cog in FEU Diliman's championship run in the UAAP Season 85 Men's Basketball and Men's 3X3 Basketball tournaments. He again led the Baby Tams to the UAAP Season 86 3x3 title and was named Most Valuable Player. In addition. he made a good impression in his first stint as a member of the seniors’ team after being named to the Mythical Team of the FilOil EcoOil 17th Preseason Cup.
Christine Ubaldo
Leadership and stability are what Christine Ubaldo brings to the FEU Women’s Volleyball Team which returned to the UAAP Final Four after two years. The 4th year Bachelor of Science in Psychology student earned several Player of the Game awards in UAAP Season 86 in key wins that brough back FEU to contention. The Lady Tamaraws’ team captain has only one goal in mind and that is to help FEU win its 30th UAAP Women’s Volleyball crown, which it last won in Season 70.
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