Far Eastern University made quick work of University of the East, 25-11, 25-15, 25-22, to open the second round of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament on a resounding note on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Tamaraws improved to solo third at 5-3, moving ahead of idle Adamson University and University of Santo Tomas, who are both at 4-3.
It was a confidence-building win for FEU, which now sets its sights on Sunday’s rematch against National University at the Big Dome, where it hopes to avenge its season-opening five-set loss.
“Against UE, siyempre, kailangan naming mag-ready in a manner na wala nga si Gerz (Petallo), nagkaroon kami ng few adjustments. Malaking factor din na na-run namin nang maayos; hindi rin kasi biro ‘yung UE kalaban,” said FEU head coach Tina Salak.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
After cruising through the first two sets, the Lady Tamaraws faced stiffer resistance from the Lady Warriors in the third.
Behind Khy Cepada, Kiesha Famulagan, and Eljane Nogueras, UE kept pace and forced a 21-all deadlock before Faida Bakanke took over to close out the match in just 76 minutes.
The Congolese opposite spiker unleashed a personal 4-1 finishing run, highlighted by back-to-back crosscourt kills, to seal FEU’s straight-sets victory.
“Sabi nga ni coach, hindi madali ‘yung adjustments, so huwag naming gawing joke ‘yung binibigay sa amin na role. In-embrace ko lang ‘yung ibinigay sa akin ni Coach T and sana po na-execute naman po nang maayos,” said Melody Pons, the younger sister of Bernadeth. She stepped up with nine points, nine digs, and five receptions.
The elder Pons led FEU to its most recent Finals appearance in Season 80 (2018).
Bakanke finished with 14 points on 12 attacks and two blocks, along with five digs, while Jazlyn Ellarina added 11 points built on eight spikes and three blocks.
Lovely Lopez, who was inserted into the starting six, contributed seven points, eight digs, and eight receptions, as the Lady Tamaraws dominated both the attacking and blocking departments, 40-28 and 13-3, respectively.
FEU played without open spiker and No. 5 in the MVP race Gerz Petallo, who sustained a right shoulder injury last Saturday. Salak is hopeful Petallo will be fit in time for Sunday’s clash against the Lady Bulldogs.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Cepada was a one-woman force for UE with 15 points, 10 digs, and seven receptions, but the Lady Warriors remained winless through eight games.
Famulagan added six points.
UE will also be back in action on Sunday, taking on the University of the Philippines.
