FAR Eastern University’s coaching staff got a major facelift this offseason.
The Lady Tamaraws first brought back Manolo Refugia before adding veteran mentor Rald Ricafort as consultant, strengthening the program’s leadership heading into the next UAAP campaign.
But the arrival of two decorated coaches came with an equally significant departure.
FEU has lost one of its most potent offensive weapons after former opposite hitter Faida Bakanke signed with French club Vandœuvre Nancy Volley-Ball for the 2026-27 season.
READ: Refugia returns as Lady Tams coach, Ricafort named consultant
The French side announced the acquisition of the 23-year-old, 6-foot-1 Congolese spiker as part of its roster for the upcoming Ligue A Féminine season.
Bakanke leaves Morayta as one of the Lady Tamaraws’ most impactful players in recent seasons.
Her power, length and ability to score from both the front and back row made her a constant threat, often carrying a significant share of FEU’s offensive responsibilities during her stint in the UAAP.
Only days after FEU unveiled a revamped coaching setup led by Refugia and reinforced by Ricafort, the program now faces the challenge of moving forward without one of the players who supplied much of its firepower.
Bakanke’s next stop from Morayta is a club based in northeastern France with six overall titles across three divisions of French volleyball.
For Bakanke, the move represents an opportunity to test herself in one of Europe’s established volleyball environments and one of the first big names from Morayta to take her act overseas while cutting her college career short.
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