Coming off a tremendous Final Four run in the UAAP, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws crushed the defending NCAA champions Colleges of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers, 25-16, 25-18, 25-18, in the 2016 Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
FEU sprinted to a 12-4 lead to open the match, burying te Lady Blazers in the first set. CSB started the second set less sloppily, even taking a 7-4 lead before came rushinh back to drag them to a 9-13 hole. Benilde’s uninspired play and horrible reception led to the gap growing to secen, 12-19, as FEU closed them out easily again.
Benilde put up a better fight in the third set, rallying back from a 0-8 deficit to get within two, 13-15. But FEU again mustered a finishing push behind Bernadeth Pone, Remy Palma, and Toni Basas to finish the match comfortably.
“Hindi namin inexpect na magiging straight set ang panalo especially defending champions sila ng NCAA. Siguro kasi first game lang kailangan pang mag-adjust talaga,” said FEU head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
FEU’s Big Three towed the offense with Pons notching 11 points while Palma and Basas each tallied 10 markers.
Benilde leaned on NCAA Finals MVP Jeanette Panaga who only managed seven points while Chelsea Santillan managed six markers.
FEU (1-0) next faces the San Beda Lady Red Spikers (0-1) on August 10 at the Philsports Arena in Group B action. CSB (0-1) tries to recover against the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses (0-0) on August 6 also at the Philsports Arena.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Pons 11, Palma 10, Basas 10, Malabanan 7, Guino-O 6, Domingo 3, Cayuna 2, Villareal 1, Hernandez 0, Negrito 0, Rebleza 0, Duremdes (L), Atienza (L)
CSB (0) – Panaga 7, Santillan 6, Musa 4, Austero 3, Daguil 2, Dolorito 2, Cheng 1, Navarro 1, Umali 1, Ventura 1, Torres (L), Buno (L)
