In the highly anticipated rematch of last year’s UAAP semifinals, it was the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws that prevailed this time against the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles. The Morayta-based crew took the match in four sets, 17-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-14, Saturday evening at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Nonetheless, it was not the start head coach George Pascua wanted. He shared, “Si Jia [Morado] (former Ateneo setter) kaya niya pabilisin yung game. Itong bago (Deanna Wong) kaya pang basahin.
“Yun lang nagmamadali sila. Yung aggressiveness nila, hindi sumasakto sa timing,” added the FEU alumnus.
So the returning collegiate tactician subbed in Kyle Negrito for Gel Cayuna to better steer the ship for the Tamaraws. The setter finished with 32 excellent sets that her squad converted to 48 spike points.
Team captain Bernadeth Pons paced the Green and Gold with 16 markers, while fellow winger Toni Rose Basas finished with 15.
Pascual, nonetheless, admitted that the absence of Ateneo captain Bea de Leon was a huge thing. “Malaking factor yun,” he said. “Kung andyan yung de Leon, sigurado mas mahirap [yung laban].”
Also, the Lady Eagles suffered a handicap as game captain Kim Gequillana went down to left knee in the third set.
In their stead, wingers Jhoana Maraguinot and Kat Tolentino carried the Lady Eagles with 16 and 13 points, respectively.
FEU will face the National University Lady Bulldogs (1-0) on Saturday, September 16 at 6:30 pm. On their part, Ateneo (1-1) will take on the Lyceum of the Philippines University Lady Pirates (0-1) earlier that day at 4pm.
