The Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws is one game away from bagging the bronze in the Shakeys V-League Collegiate Conference after a 25-17, 25-17, 10-25, 25-20 decision against the UST Golden Tigresses at the FilOil Flying V Arena, Saturday afternoon.
Both teams started the first set flat with both teams eventually settling for a tie at eight apiece. Led by the efforts of guest player Jovelyn Gonzaga the Lady Tamaraws was able to create separation from the Tigresses in the latter part of the set with UST unable to catch up.
The Lady Tamaraws continued its domination in the second set, holding a 16-9 lead in the second technical timeout as the errors of the Tigresses and timely attacks from Toni Rose Basas, Bernadeth Pons and Jerrili Malabanan helped the Morayta based squad in obtaining a comfortable lead. The Tigresses struggled to set its foot on the game as the Lady Tamaraws has answers to every offensive run the Tomasinas launched.
In the third set, the errors from the Lady Tamaraws gave UST a big 8-2 lead in the first technical timeout. EJ Laure led the Tigresses in overwhelming the Lady Tamaraws in the latter part of the set, and the errors coming Lady Tamaraws dashed any hopes of them getting back in the set.
Both teams played a nip and tuck fourth set with both teams tied at 11 all. FEU relied on Pons, Basas and Heather Guino-o to give the Lady Tamaraws a 16-11 advantage heading to the second technical timeout. From there, the Lady Tamaraws went on a scoring spree, effectively burying the Tigresses.
After the game, Lady Tamaraws assistant coach Ariel Canlas, who took over for Shaq Delos Santos due to other commitments said winning the third place finish in the V-League is important to the team .
“Importante pa rin ang battle for third kahit na dethroned kami, para strong finish pa din heading to the UAAP,” Canlas said.
Canlas also added the Lady Tamaraws relaxed too much in the third set, leading to the Golden Tigresses overwhelming them all throughout the set.
“Sinabi ko sa mga bata kanina heading to the fourth set, hindi ibig sabihin nanalo tayo nang first two sets ay mag-rerelax na tayo. masyado sila nag relax noong third set kaya sabi ko kung ano ang intensity na pinakita natin nang first two sets dapat itaas pa natin,” Canlas pointed out.
Pons scored 16 points, 15 points coming from attacks along with 11 excellent digs to lead the Lady Tamaraws while Gonzaga chipped 11 markers and setter Kyle Negrito had 30 excellent sets.
Laure and Pam Lastimosa both top scored the Golden Tigresses with 12 points while Carmela Tunay contributed nine points.
Game Two of the battle for bronze between the Lady Tamaraws and Golden Tigresses will take place on September 26 at 12:45 PM at the same venue.
The scores:
FEU (3) – Pons 16, Gonzaga 11, Tubino 7, Basas 7, Palma 6, Malabanan 6, Guino-o 6, Negrito 1, Hernandez 0, Atienza (L)
UST (1) – Laure 12, Lastimosa 12, Tunay 9, Meneses 8, De Leon 3, Cortez 1, Verutiao 1, Cabanos 0, Teope 0, Francisco 0, Sandoval 0, Dizon(L), Rasmo (L)
