With both teams desperately clinging to a prime place in the standings, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles showed tremendous composure and effort, outlasting the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 25-19, 24-26, 19-25, 25-16, 15-11 in UAAP Season 79 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The match came down to who finished a set in a flurry.
FEU started the first set on top, 15-11, but the Lady Eagles climbed back through their blocking and solid floor defense. Ateneo then started the second frame on fire but were doused, as their 22-20 lead turned into a 24-24 deuce. Bernadeth Pons and Toni Rose Basas capped the set win for FEU, who carried over their momentum and dominated the third frame. The Lady Tamaraws seemed to have the match in hand, leading the fourth set 5-0, before their offense collapsed. The Lady Eagles used a 9-2 rally to hijack the set and force a decider.
With their lineup adjustments working to full effect, the Lady Eagles made consecutive crucial plays off their defense to grab the advantage 8-4. The Lady Tams tried one last rally, firing in their combination plays to trim the deficit down to two, 12-10. But late FEU errors, compounded with a Kim Gequillana ace, buoyed the Lady Eagles to the win.
“Malaking bagay na napagana namin ‘yung mga adjustments namin. Maraming naging problema kanina pero nakabawi naman kami,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sherwin Meneses, who sat in for Tai Bundit as the latter is in Thailand attending to personal matters.
Jhoana Maraguinot scored four points in the fifth set and tallied 18 for the game. Michelle Morente added 17 for the Lady Eagles, who notched their second win in three matches.
Ateneo will next take on the struggling Adamson University Lady Falcons (0-3) on Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Pons led the Lady Tams with 18 points while Toni Basas managed 14.
FEU (1-2) look to recover against the winless University of the East Lady Warriors (0-2) also on Saturday.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Maraguinot 18, Morente 17, De Leon 11, Madayag 10, Gequillana 9, Tolentino 6, Samonte 1, Tan (L)
FEU (2) – Pons 18, Basas 15, Malabanan 13, Palma 9, Cayuna 2, Villareal 1, Negrito 1, Guino-o 0, Carandag 0, Duremdes (L), Atienza (L)
