FAR EASTERN University survived winless University of the East in a nail-biter, 25-19, 18-25, 25-12, 22-25, 15-5, to rediscover its winning ways in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, Wednesday.
Third-year spiker Jovelyn Fernandez and sophomore winger Chenie Tagaod came alive in the fifth set allowing the Lady Tamaraws to pull away before rookie Gerzel Petallo put the finishing touches.
“Sobrang happy na first round pa lang, to be honest ‘no na-exceed ‘yung expectation. Since nandito na kami, hindi kami pwedeng huminto,” said coach Tina Salak after FEU rebounded from last Saturday’s straight-set loss to league-leading De La Salle.
After a downer 25-12 defeat in the third, UE’s Van Bangayan and KC Cepada connected in the fourth frame to force a decider, 25-22.
The Lady Tamaraws jumped back in the win column with an even 3-3 card at fifth while the Lady Warriors dropped to 0-6.
Tagaod came through with a game-high 23 points on 18 attacks, three blocks, and two aces she laced with eight excellent receptions.
Fernandez also had an all-around game of 22 points built on 17 hits and five kill blocks along with 13 digs, while libero Marga Encarnacion was spectacular anew with 34 digs on 50 attempts.
UE leaned on the duo of Cepada and Bangayan with 18 and 17 points, respectively, while Ja Lana got a solid outing of 14 points, 14 digs, and 10 excellent receptions.
UE will try to finally break its drought on Saturday at the same venue against University of Santo Tomas while FEU battles National University later that day.
Watch both games live on the UAAP Varsity Channel (Ch. 263 HD). Available on Prepaid Loads 300 & up (valid for 30 days) or you can watch your favorite match-ups.
