The Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws finally experienced a straight-setter, flooring the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons to halt their two-game losing streak, 25-23, 25-11, 25-19, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
FEU had gone the distance in their first three outings, and looked poised to slug it out in another extended match. The Lady Maroons capitalized on FEU’s errors and grabbed a 23-19 lead. But UP then followed with a disappointing stretch that has come to embody their season so far. Unable to mount an attack, UP surrendered the next six points and allowed the Lady Tams the steal the set.
Pouncing on their deflated foes, FEU sprinted to an 18-6 lead in the following frame and quickly put the second set out of reach.
The Lady Tamaraws faced better resistance from UP in the third set, but the Katipunan-baser spikers disintegrated in the end. FEU established a 16-10 lead following a 3-0 run. UP got within two, 15-17, but FEU closed the match, taking eight of the last 12 points.
“Sobrang laking bagay na nakakuha na kami ng panalo kasi kailangan talaga ng team ng momentum na ‘to. And mahirap na kung malulubog kami sa 1-3, hindi na madaling makabangon,” said FEU head coach George Pascua.
Heather Guino-O topped the Lady Tams with 11 points, while opposite hitter Toni Basas added 10 markers.
Tots Carlos was the lone bright spot for UP with 15 points off 14 attacks and a block.
FEU (2-2) will to go above .500 when they face the winless University of the East Lady Warriors (0-4) on Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. UP (1-3) will try to end their three-game losing streak against neighbors Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles (2-2) on Sunday.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Guino-O 11, Basas 10, Pons 9, Domingo 5, Villareal 3, Negrito 2, Cayuna 0, Hernandez 0, Malabanan 0, Atienza (L), Duremdes (L)
UP (0) – Carlos 15, Molde 4, Layug 4, Ramos 4, Rosier 3, Buitre 1, Cailing 1, Lim 1, Estrañero 0, Dorog (L)
