Far Eastern University had to dig deep against a stellar performance from Shaina Nitura and Adamson University, escaping with a hard-fought 16-25, 25-22, 31-33, 25-20, 15-13 victory to sweep Pool D of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Pre-season Championship on Saturday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Nitura, the UAAP Season 86 Girls’ Volleyball MVP, delivered a tournament-high 35 points, built on 33 attacks and two blocks. However, fatigue caught up with the Lady Falcons in the later stages of the match.
Down 14-13 in the fifth set, FEU’s Mitzi Panangin sealed the win with a service ace targeting Adamson libero Juris Manuel, who couldn’t handle the reception.
The Lady Tamaraws’ great escape was complete.
(C) Noel Tonido/SSL
Jean Asis led FEU with 13 points, while Gerzel Petallo and Chenie Tagaod each contributed 12 points.
Clarisse Loresco added 11 as FEU advanced to the next round, joining La Salle, UE, and UST in this tournament is supported by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R and B Milk Tea, and Summit Water.
On Adamson’s side, Ifeoma Mordi supported Nitura with 14 points, but the Lady Falcons fell to a 1-1 record.
They now face a virtual do-or-die match against the Benilde Lady Blazers on October 16.
Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University powered through Arellano University with a 25-17, 25-18, 25-18 sweep to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot.
(C) Noel Tonido/SSL
Zey Pacia and Lyann De Guzman led the Blue Eagles with 10 points each, combining for 18 of the team’s 41 attack points.
Ateneo improved to a 2-1 win-loss record, tying Arellano in Pool A after the latter’s unbeaten run was snapped.
“’Yun lang ang sinasabi sa amin ni coach Sergio (Veloso), na magkaroon ng strong mind at magtiwala lang sa sarili,” said Pacia, reflecting on Ateneo’s recovery from a four-set loss to defending champion National University last week.
In the other match, San Beda swept Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-18, 25-23, 25-22.
