With leading scorer and defensive ace Bernadeth Pons out of the lineup, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws still had enough firepower to put away the Jose Rizal University Lady Bombers, 28-26, 25-14, 25-16, in the Premier Volleyball League Women’s Collegiate Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Graduating team captain Pons was away competing in the Southeast Asian Beach Volleyball tournament. In her stead, fourth-year winger Toni Basas topped the Lady Tams with 15 points, while middle blockers Celine Domingo and Jeanette Villareal each had eight markers.
Basas was crucial in allowing FEU to escape a tight first set. With the Lady Bombers erasing her squad’s three-point lead and dragging the set into a deuce, Basas powered in a crucial hit that gave the Lady Tams the 27-26 edge, setting up FEU’s transition play that clinched the set.
“Siguro na-miss talaga ng mga bata si Pons,” said FEU head coach George Pascua about FEU’s slow start. “Sa mga ganoong sitwasyon kasi pinupuntahan talaga namin si Pons. Mabuti na may nag-respond sa kanila.”
The Lady Tamaraws are currently second in Group A with a 3-1 record, behind the undefeated National University (4-0). Should they win in their final elimination round assignment against the LPU Lady Pirates on October 2, the Lady Tamaraws can assure themselves of at least a playoff for a semis slot.
Team captain Shola Alvarez topped the Lady Bombers with nine points. JRU splashed out of the conference picture with a dismal 0-5 record.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Basas 15, Domingo 8, Villareal 8, Guino-O 6, Agudo 4, Cayuna 4, Negrito 4, Malabanan 3, Calinawan 2, Carandag 1, Hernandez 0, Atienza (L), Duremdes (L)
JRU (0) – Alvarez 9, Versoza 5, Bodiongan 3, Ebuenga 2, Rivera 2, Bondoc 1, Montojo 1, Bautista 0, Sibangan 0, Macaraya (L)
