DASMARIÑAS, CAVITE – With their backs against the wall, Far Eastern University showed grit and resilience, surviving Adamson University in four sets, 25-13, 25-22, 15-25, 25-23, to keep their title hopes alive and force a do-or-die Game 3 in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge Finals on Wednesday at the City of Dasmariñas Arena here.
Gerzel Petallo and Kyle Pendon spearheaded the Lady Tamaraws’ offense, stepping up in crucial moments to drag FEU into a winner-take-all showdown on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
Petallo, recently hailed as one of the league’s Best Outside Spikers, delivered a stellar all-around outing with 15 points on 11 attacks and four kill blocks. She also anchored the floor defense with 12 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.
(C) V-League Images
“Talagang tyinaga po namin kasi gustong-gusto po talaga naming manalo. We want this game para sa amin po talaga, kaya ayun proper mindset talaga before pa lang ‘yung game mag-start. Strong mentality lang po talaga, winning mentality,” said Petallo.
The Lady Tamaraws nearly squandered a 22-18 cushion in the fourth set as Shaina Nitura, Frances Mordi, and Lhouriz Tuddao sparked a 5-1 Adamson rally to tie the game at 23-all.
But the Lady Falcons faltered in the endgame, with Red Bascon committing a costly service error. Jaz Ellarina then rose for a crucial block on Mordi that sealed the hard-fought win for FEU in a match that lasted nearly two hours.
“Pinaghandaan po talaga kasi namin, sobrang pinaghandaan namin. Proper mindset po talaga ‘yung ginagawa namin na kayang kaya talaga. Magagawa namin ‘yung mga naging lapses namin. Talagang pinaghandaan po namin,” added Petallo.
Ellarina chipped in 11 points, while Alyzza Devosora steadied the floor defense with six excellent receptions.
The Lady Tamaraws also drew solid play from team captain and playmaker Tin Ubaldo, who tallied 23 excellent sets on top of three points. Meanwhile, Mary Suplico anchored the defense with 14 excellent digs.
The victory avenged FEU’s tough 18-25, 24-26, 25-23, 23-25 loss in Game 1 last Monday.
(C) V-League Images
On the other side, newly-crowned MVP Nitura led Adamson with a game-high 20 points on 18 attacks, one ace, and one block. She also had 14 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
Mordi added 13 points, all from attacks, plus 10 excellent receptions, while Tuddao contributed 12 points in the loss.
