Far Eastern University survived Casiey Dongallo’s rampage for University of the East, taking a 22-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-27, 15-11 thrilling win in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Sunday.
Rookie Dongallo willed the Lady Warriors to the decider after scoring five straight UE points to turn a 22-23 deficit into a 27-25 win in the fourth.
However, UE shot itself on the foot in the fifth set by committing four consecutive errors.
Then Chen Tagaod emerged for FEU for the early 7-2 lead before fending off the Lady Warriors’ late rally for the victory.
Through the efforts of Dongallo and Riza Nogales, UE was able to inch within a point, 11-12. But Faida Bakanke and Tagaod connived for three straight Lady Tamaraws points to end the game in two hours and 19 minutes.
“Naging hard yung game gawa ng both teams galing sa talo, gustong parehong bumawi. Kaya ayun, naging maganda yung laban, mataas yung emosyon,” said FEU head coach Manolo Refugia.
The Lady Tamaraws hiked their record to 2-1 for solo third behind undefeated teams De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas, which are battling it out as of publishing time.
Fifth-set momentum-shifter Tagaod finished with 16 points, while Bakanke added 14 points in the victory.
“It pays off po lahat ng pinagtrainingan namin kasi pinaghahandaan talaga namin lahat ng mga games namin, so medyo overwhelmed po kasi nagawa namin yun. We did out best talaga,” said Petallo, who impressed with 18 points on 14 attacks, three blocks, and an ace.
She also had nine digs and nine receptions.
Dongallo unloaded 30 points to set a new UAAP record for most points by a rookie in a single game, surpassing Angel Canino’s 28 set in the second round last season against Adamson University.
The California Precision Sports product also added 12 digs and six excellent receptions in the Lady Warriors’ second-straight loss to fall to 1-2 after also losing to the Golden Tigresses last Wednesday.
Kayce Balingit contributed 16 as well in the defeat.
Both teams will be back next Sunday with UE playing Adamson University at 2:00 PM and FEU facing UST at 4:00 PM.
