Shiela Kiseo, FEU deal ailing Arellano first loss

Shiela Mae Kiseo steered the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws past reigning NCAA queens Arellano University Lady Chiefs, 25-13, 22-25, 25-22, 25-10, in the 2019 PVL Collegiate Conference, Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

“So far, so good kasi malaking confidence boost kasi Arellano tinalo nila. Siyempre, knowing Arellano, champion team yan,” FEU head coach George Pascua said. “At the same time, yung chemistry, kahit papaano, na-achieve na.”

Tied at 15 in the third set, Kiseo nudged FEU to a breather entering the second technical timeout. It incited a 4-0 spurt, allowing the Lady Tamaraws to take a 19-15 cushion.

Both teams then exchanged blows in the ensuing sequences. Still, the Morayta-based squad held on to their advantage to take a 2-1 set buffer.

The Lady Tamaraws then carried over momentum into the decisive fourth frame, erecting a 23-10 spread. Necole Ebuen muffed a scoring opportunity, setting up Kiseo’s match-clinching attack that lifted FEU to a 2-1 slate.

Kiseo flaunted her two-way arsenal as she continued to impress for FEU. The prized-rookie out of Cebu hammered down 15 points built on 13 attacks and a kill block.

Ivana Agudo waxed hot from the service area, netting five aces to supply 12 markers, while Czarina Carandang chipped nine points. Nette Villareal also had nine markers – spiked by a pair of rejections – in her return from a knee injury.

FEU skipper Gel Cayuna paced the Lady Tamaraws with 26 excellent sets laced with six points. Sheena Gallentes added six markers of her own.

On the other hand, the Lady Chiefs surrendered 34 crucial errors in the match, suffering their first loss of the conference. Moreover, they fell to a 2-1 card, forging a three-way tie with FEU and St. Benilde in pool B.

Necole Ebuen topped Arellano with 15 points while Nicole Sasuman contributed 12 markers. Alyana San Gregorio and Mika Juanich chimed in six and four points, respectively.

Donna Paralejas, who was not present in their previous game due to an allergy attack, tossed nine excellent sets on top of four points. Faye Flores collected 18 excellent receptions and 13 excellent digs.

Regine Arocha, who sustained an ankle injury two weeks ago, also saw action but only played sparingly.

The Lady Chiefs continue to miss the services of Carla Donato (hand injury) and Jehan Hussain (knee injury).

FEU will try to stretch their streak to three when they face the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses on Sunday. Meanwhile Arellano look to regain their winning ways against St. Benilde Lady Blazers on Saturday. Both matches will be played at the same venue.