Defending champions Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws remain undefeated with a straight set victory over University of the Philippines 25-20, 25-20, 25-19 in the Shakeys V-League Collegiate Conference at the FilOil Flying V Arena, Sunday afternoon.
The Lady Tamaraws relied on guest players Jovelyn Gonzaga and Honey Royse Tubino to establish an 8-4 lead against the Lady Maroons in the first technical timeout of the first set. FEU continued to pick up its offense as Bernadeth Pons joined Gonzaga and Tubino in establishing the biggest lead of the set at 21-9. The Lady Maroons attempted to crawl back, with Isa Molde, Justine Dorog and Vina Alinas contributing to cut the Lady Tamaraws lead to just four at 24-20, but an Alinas service error gave the set to the Lady Tamaraws.
Reception and service errors was the problem for the Lady Tamaraws in the early goings of the second set. The Lady Maroons took advantage of this, grabbing a 14-7 lead. The Lady Tamaraws banked on Jerrili Malabanan, Gonzaga and Pons, who blitzed the Lady Maroons for a 7-0 run and tied the score at 14 all. Dorog committed two consecutive errors to help FEU take the driver’s seat at 16-14. The Lady Tamaraws continued its offensive stance and overwhelmed the Lady Maroons.
Toni Rose Basas and Remy Palma took over to quickly bury the Lady Maroons with 16-6 lead in the second timeout of the third set. Still, the Lady Maroons had some gas left in the tank as Diane Carlos, Molde and Marian Buitre carried the crutch for the Diliman-based squad with Buitre blocking Basas to cut the deficit, 20-18, but Basas was able to score three of the Lady Tamaraws’ last five points to notch their fourth straight win.
Despite the straight set finish, FEU Lady Tamaraws Head Coach Shaq Delos Santos said was not satisfied with how the Morayta based squad played, especially in second set.
“Service errors at reception namin ang naging problema sa second set, yung attack at defense namin medyo hindi pa gumagana. Sana mag improve pa,” said Delos Santos.
Gonzaga led the Lady Tamaraws with 19 points, 14 coming from attacks and three from blocks. Basas contributed 11 points while Pons and Tubino finished with nine points apiece.
Molde top scored the Lady Maroons with nine points, all coming from attacks, while her teammate, Carlos, chipped in six points.
The Lady Tamaraws next assignment is against their last year Collegiate Conference championship tormentor the National University Lady Bulldogs on August 8 at 12:45 PM while the Lady Maroons will end their elimination round campaign against the reigning NCAA champion Arellano University Lady Chiefs at 3:00 PM in the same day at the same venue.
The Scores:
FEU (3) – Gonzaga 19, Basas 11, Tubino 9, Pons 9, Palma 7, Malabanan 2, Negrito 1, Guino-o 1, Cayuna 0, Duremdes (L), Atienza(L)
UP (0) – Molde 9, Carlos 6, Buitre 5, Alinas 4, Dorog 4, Layug 4, Ong 1, Lai 0, Cailing 0, Basatre 0, Estranero (L), Gaiser (L)
