Far Eastern University shrugged off a slow start to down Adamson University, 22-25, 30-28, 25-17, 25-20, in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
The Lady Tamaraws, following a loss-win-loss-win pattern this season, forged a three-way tie with the Lady Falcons and the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses for fourth to sixth place at 2-2.
“Tiwala lang. Make sure na kahit nagkakamali ang team ko, wala namang gustong magkamali, more on kung paano lang sila makarecover. Hangga’t hindi natatapos, tuloy lang. Test of character yun ng bawat individual, bawat team,” said FEU head coach Tina Salak, whose guidance sparked the comeback in the extended second set.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Off the bench for the last two games, Lovely Lopez made her presence felt, scoring four of the final five points to help the Lady Tamaraws secure the victory in two hours and six minutes.
The turning point came in the second frame, preventing FEU from falling two sets down.
On their fifth set point in that stanza, the Lady Tamaraws finally converted as Alyzza Devosora hammered a crosscourt kill to even the match at one set apiece, 30-28.
“Sa akin po kasi, para magawa ko ‘yung ganitong performance, kailangan ko munang umpisahan sa sarili ko para hindi naman ganoon kabigat sa mga kasama ko. May part din ako na kailangan kong maging consistent,” said Devosora, who recorded a personal season-high 18 points, along with 15 excellent receptions and seven digs.
Congolese opposite hitter Faida Bakanke also delivered for FEU, tallying 22 points on 17 spikes and five blocks, while Jaz Ellarina added 11 points on four attacks, five blocks, and two aces.
Libero Marga Encarnacion was instrumental in defense, neutralizing Shai Nitura and Frances Mordi’s attacks with 26 digs and 10 receptions.
Although the Lady Falcons edged FEU slightly in spiking, 60-59, the Lady Tamaraws dominated at the net with 16 blocks to Adamson’s seven.
FEU aims for back-to-back wins on Wednesday when it faces winless Ateneo de Manila University at the same venue.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Nitura led Adamson with 24 points on 24-of-79 attacks, along with 31 excellent receptions and 15 digs.
Nigeria’s Mordi contributed 19 points and 12 receptions, while Lhouiz Tuddao added 12 points on nine attacks and three blocks.
Adamson looks to return to the win column on Saturday against the University of Santo Tomas, also at the Big Dome.
