The Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws forced a deciding Game Three in the Premier Volleyball League semifinals after surviving the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 21-25, 27-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-11, in Game Two at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Both teams missed key players, with FEU’s Bernadeth Pons and Kyla Atienza, and Adamson’s Bernadette Flora and Chrislyn Uy participating in the UAAP Beach Volleyball tournament. The Lady Falcons were also without captain Jema Galanza, who suffered a dislocated ankle two weeks ago.
In their absence, different players stepped up for both sides. The Lady Tamaraws, fueled by a career game from third year middle blocker Czarina Carandang, rallied from a first-set loss to take the next two frames. The Lady Falcons, however, erased FEU’s four-point lead in the fourth set to force a decider.
The Lady Falcons let a 4-2 start slip away and opened the door for FEU to take charge. Carandang tipped in a hit that capped a 3-1 run for the Lady Tamaraws that got them to a 14-10 lead. Toni Basas ended the match with a soft hit that eluded two blockers.
“Kinailangan namin mag-adapt sa game plan namin kanina. Kailangan talaga masunod ‘yun,” said FEU head coach George Pascua.
“May mga sinubukan kaming ibang rotation kanina. Buti na lang gumana at nag-respond ‘yung mga bata. Hopefully, madala namin sa susunod na laro,” added the first-year mentor.
Batangas native Carandang finished with 20 points on 15 attacks, three blocks, and two aces. Basas added 16 points from 14 attacks and two blocks.
Chiara Permentilla and Eli Soyud carried the scoring cudgels for the Lady Falcons, providing 20 points apiece. Their offensive output, however, was negated by their squad’s 43 total errors.
Game Three will be on Monday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Carandang 20, Basas 16, Villareal 10, Domingo 8, Malabanan 8, Negrito 5, Cayuna 1, Agudo 0, Guino-o 0, Hernandez 0, Duremdes (L)
AdU (2) – Permentilla 20, Soyud 20, Dacoron 12, Roque 12, Perez 11, Emnas 0, Igao 0, Pinar 0, Permentilla (L)
