Far Eastern University snapped a two-game skid with a hard-fought victory over Ateneo de Manila University, 25-15, 20-25, 25-17, 24-26, 15-11, in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Sunday.
Locked at nine in the deciding set, Tin Ubaldo and Faida Bakanke ignited a crucial four-point run — highlighted by back-to-back blocks from Bakanke on Ateneo’s top scorer Lyann de Guzman — to put FEU ahead 13-9.
The Congolese opposite hitter then sealed the match with a down-the-line hit, securing FEU’s second win in four outings after a grueling two hours and 25 minutes.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Actually, marami kaming adjustments. Very happy din that they performed, ‘yun nga lang sabi ko nga dapat hindi kulang, dapat ready sila in case na ganito ang mangyari,” said FEU head coach Tina Salak.
“Gusto pa namin pukpukin ‘yung mga ito na pagdating towards the second round, ready na kami to fight back nga sa lahat ng nagiging struggles namin ngayon.”
Ateneo forced a fifth set after Gerzel Petallo tied the fourth frame at 24 with a well-placed drop ball. However, De Guzman responded with a powerful attack that grazed an FEU defender’s hand, winning the point after a successful block touch challenge.
Yvana Sulit then delivered a clutch service ace to push the match to a decider.
FEU opened the season with an emphatic win over the UST Golden Tigresses but suffered back-to-back losses against the UP Fighting Maroons and the NU Lady Bulldogs.
With this victory, the Lady Tamaraws improved to 2-2, joining UP, De La Salle University, and Adamson University in a four-way tie for third place.
“Nag-work hard po talaga kami sa training kasi one week po ‘yung preparation namin. Mahaba po ang preparation namin at pinag-aralan po namin talaga sila kaya kumapit po kami hanggang dulo,” said Petallo, who finished with 18 points on 14 attacks and four blocks, along with 14 receptions and nine digs.
Bakanke added 15 points, five of which came in the decisive set, while Mitzi Panangin contributed 11 points, including six of FEU’s 20 blocks.
Despite being outgunned in the spiking department, 52-61, the Lady Tamaraws dominated the net defense. They recorded an 18-block advantage, with Panangin and Bakanke collecting six and five blocks, respectively.
FEU will aim to build on this momentum when they take on University of the East on Wednesday at the same Pasay venue.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the other hand, De Guzman put up a triple-double performance of 23 points, 12 receptions, and 11 digs, but Ateneo slid to 1-3, placing them seventh in the standings.
Sobe Buena also registered a triple-double with 18 points, 13 receptions, and 12 digs, while AC Miner and Sulit chipped in 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Ateneo looks to bounce back against University of Santo Tomas next Sunday, still at the MOA Arena.
