Far Eastern University kept its top-two hopes alive with a 25-19, 25-15, 22-25, 25-16 victory over the already eliminated University of the East on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Tamaraws improved their slate to 8-4 to remain in the race for the two twice-to-beat incentives in the Final Four.
They trail National University, De La Salle University, and the University of Santo Tomas, all at 10-2.
“Tonight, maganda naman. Nakuha namin yung gusto naming mangyari na manalo, pero sa loob ng panalo, ano ba yung gusto naming mangyari? Yung sistema mas patibayin pa,” said FEU coach Manolo Refugia.
Just when the Lady Tamaraws seemed to be closing out the match at 22-19, the Lady Warriors strung together six straight points.
The heroics of Casiey Dongallo and Claire Castillo extended the match with a 25-22 set win.
Learning from their mistakes in the previous set, FEU opened up a commanding 18-11 margin thanks to six consecutive points, sealing their fourth straight triumph in one hour and 54 minutes.
Chenie Tagaod led the charge with 21 points, bolstered by 19 attacks, while Gerzel Petallo contributed 14 points and 10 digs.
Tin Ubaldo orchestrated the Lady Tamaraws’ offense with 21 excellent sets while also contributing seven points herself.
Congo’s Faida Bakanke also chipped in 10 points in just two sets of play.
FEU’s next game will be on Saturday against the University of the Philippines, followed by a match against NU next Wednesday.
Dongallo once again led UE with an all-around display of 17 points, along with 10 digs and eight excellent receptions.
Meanwhile, Castillo contributed 14 points, including six service aces.
The Lady Warriors sank to their fourth straight defeat, leaving them with a 2-10 record. UE will face UST on Sunday.
