Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws took advantage of Cherry Rondina’s absence from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigresses to post their third straight victory in straight sets fashion, 25-14, 25-18, 25-23, in the 13th Shakey’s VLeague Collegiate Conference, Wednesday evening at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Rondina did not suit up for the Tigresses to fulfill her obligations with Foton Tornadoes in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference. The Lady Tams were also incomplete, as ace player Bernadeth Pons did not play due to high fever.
From a 13-all tie in the first set, the Lady Tamaraws, with Toni Basas, Kyle Negrito, and Celine Domingo contributing offensively, capitalized on UST’s weak net defense through cross-court hits en route to a 12-1 scoring spree. They secured the set with an eleven-point advantage, 25-14.
With FEU ahead 16-9 in the next set, UST stormed back with four unanswered points to inch closer, 16-13. However, the volleybelles from España failed to sustain rhythm, giving the Lady Tams room to chip in points. With Heather Guino-o leading the scoring fray, FEU went up by two sets, 25-18.
FEU, in the final frame, made it to within five points of the finish line, 20-13, but squandered the huge lead by allowing UST to unload a streak and take the driver’s seat, 23-22. But Guino-o and veteran Remy Palma conspired in the closing moments, nailing the last three points to come away victorious, 25-23.
“Medyo nagrelax,” said FEU head coach Shaq Delos Santos regarding his team blowing a huge lead late in the third set. “Communication din, kasi nawawala sila sa focus. Yung first ball din namin, kasi kahit anong gawin namin ‘di kami maka-execute. So yun yung naging problema,” he furthered.
Basas led all scorers with her 19 markers in 13 attacks, while Guino-o added 9. Negrito had 37 excellent sets.
UST, on the other hand, were led by Ejiya Laure’s 9.
FEU (3-0) will have their last match against the University of the Philippines on Saturday, August 20, 4 PM, at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.
The Scores:
FEU (3) – Basas 19, Guino-o 9, Domingo 6, Palma 5, Malabanan 5, Negrito 4, Cayuna 1, Hernandez 1, Carandang 0, Atienza (L) 0, Duremdes (L) 0, Rebleza 0, Villareal 0, Pons 0.
UST (0) – Laure 9, Meneses 7, Viray 4, Gutierrez 3, Pacres 3, Sandoval 2, Dizon 2, Bicar 2, Palec 2, Mangulabnan 1, Pollentes (L) 0, Tayag 0, Rasmo (L) 0, Francisco 0, Rondina 0.
