With all their main guns firing in unison, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws held on to their lead and avoided another collapse to secure an important win over the National University Lady Bulldogs, 25-20, 25-13, 22-25, 25-20, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Lady Tamaraws had no problems executing their game plan: bombarding the NU backline with long, heavy serves. The Ladies from Jhocson failed miserably in their attempts at solid first touches in the first two sets, resulting in easy, quick set wins for FEU.
NU made adjustments to their lineup in the third set, slotting the towering Jaja Santiago in as opposite hitter and pulling Rose Doria from the bench as the other middle hitter. To remedy the poor NU ball control, head coach Roger Gorayeb opted to switch his libero in for his mis-receiving open hitters.
The lineup worked in the third frame. Santiago was not only an explosive presence in the front row, but she also powered in hits from the back. The Lady Bulldogs took a commanding 19-13 lead and forced a fourth set.
The Lady Tamaraws looked primed for a collapse as NU bolted to a 6-2 lead to start the fourth set. But FEU plucked away at NU’s lead a point at a time. Thanks to conversions from Bernadeth Pons, the Lady Tams broke a 19-all tie and took a 24-19 lead to seal the match.
“‘Yun talaga ang hinahanap namin sa kanila kasi ganoon sila gumalaw sa ensayo. I’m happy na lumalabas na ‘yung laro nila and hopefully magtuloy-tuloy na ito para sa amin,” said FEU head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
After sitting out their win over the University of the East, Toni Rose Basas had her best match of the season for the Lady Tams, scoring 20 points off 17 attacks, two aces, and a block. Pons tallied a triple-double of 18 points, 20 digs, and 15 excellent receptions.
FEU wins their second match in a row and improves their record to 3-2 to tie with National U at fourth. The Lady Tams next take on the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Santiago was the only Lady Bulldog in double-digits with 20 points.
The Lady Bulldogs next face the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses (2-3) also on Wednesday.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Basas 20, Pons 18, Malabanan 10, Palma 7, Villareal 7, Cayuna 5, Negrito 2, Guino-O, Hernandez 0, Duremdes (L)
NU (1) – Santiago 20, Singh 7, Sato 5, Urdas 5, Doria 3, Nabor 2, Paran 1, Chavez (L), Valdez (L)
