After an up-and-down season, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws have clinched their most convincing win of the tournament, slapping the National University Lady Bulldogs with their first loss of the season, 25-22, 25-27, 25-13, 25-20, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
FEU started the match trailing, before going on a 5-2 run to close the opening set. The second frame was back-and-forth until National U slipped away from a deuce thanks to late scoring from Jaja Santiago.
From there, the match went the Lady Tams’ way, with National U struggling on floor defense and attacking. FEU took a 20-10 lead in the third set, before romping the Lady Bulldogs, 22-17, in the fourth frame.
“Malaking bagay ito kasi wala pang talo ‘yung NU. Sana ma-boost ‘yung morale ng team and ma-sustain namin ‘to sa mga sunod na laro,” said FEU head coach George Pascua.
The Lady Tamaraws dominated the match on the serve, evident in their 15 aces, while NU had just four.
Team captain Bernadeth Pons topped FEU with 18 points, while opposite hitter Toni Basas added 16. FEU also limited NU’s leading scorer Jaja Santiago to 13 markers.
Risa Sato led the Lady Bulldogs with 14 points while converted opposite hitter Rose Doria managed 11.
The Lady Tamaraws (4-2) next take on the skidding University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses (2-4) on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The Lady Bulldogs (5-1) end the first round on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena against the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons (2-4).
The Scores
FEU (3) – Pons 18, Basas 16, Domingo 12, Negrito 9, Villareal 6, Guino-o 5, Malabanan 2, Cayuna 0, Hernandez 0, Atienza (L), Duremdes (L)
NU (1) – Sato 14, Santiago 13, Doria 11, Urdas 8, Nabor 4, Paran 1, Singh 1, Valdez (L)
