Building on gritty offensive and defensive execution, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws stayed alive and forced a do-or-die game for a seat in the PVL Collegiate Conference Finals, stumping the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, 22-25, 25-13, 25-14, 25-20 , at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Lady Tamaraws suffered a dismal stretch in the first set, seeing their nine-point lead erased. Tied at 20, UST’s serving coaxed consecutive errors from FEU, allowing them to take five of the next seven points.
From there, the Lady Tamaraws took care of their big leads. FEU blitzed UST 17-11 in the second set before a third set annihilation that saw the Lady Tams lead by as much as 13, 24-11.
UST finally forced a close set in the fourth frame. Ahead 10-7, the Tigresses absorbed a 4-0 FEU rally sparked by rookie Lycha Ebon. With the Tigresses’ defense muffled, FEU slowly established a sizable lead as Jerrili Malabanan powered a hit off two blockers and gave her squad a 20-16 cushion. UST then capped the match with a slew of errors and defensive mishaps that handed FEU the win.
“Naging maganda ‘yung pag-execute namin sa game plan namin which is naka-focus sa serving at serve receive,” said FEU head coach George Pascua, who was relieved that his players had maintained their leads after a disappointing first set.
“Alam naman natin ‘yung sa mga players, may tendency sila mag-relax kapag medyo lumaki ‘yung lamang. Pero, nakita naman nila ‘yun agad na hindi pwedeng bibigay kami nang ganoon lang. Nakabawi naman agad,” he added.
Middle blocker Celine Domingo topped the Lady Tams with 19 points off nine attacks, six blocks, and four aces, while Jerrili Malabanan added 17 markers, all off attacks. Setter Kyle Negrito had 12 points off eights aces, a block, and three attacks to compliment her 26 excellent sets.
Milena Alessandrini was the Tigresses’ lone double-digit scorer with 13 points.
Game Three will be tomorrow at the same venue.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Domingo 19, Malabanan 17, Negrito 12, Ebon 10, Carandang 5, Guino-O 3, Ronquillo 3, Villareal 0, Duremdes (L)
UST (1) – Alessandrini 13, Francisco 8, Jimenez 7, Laure 6, Viray 5, Bicar 3, Galdones 3, Victoria 1, Galanza 0, Tuazon 0, Delerio (L), Martin (L)
