After a surprising loss last week to the Ateneo Lady Eagles, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws regained their form, drubbing the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, 25-21, 25-21, 25-23, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Lady Tamaraws used late rallies in each set to seal the win. FEU broke away from a 13-14 deficit and took the next nine points to bury the Tigresses in the first set. The ladies from Morayta then allowed UST to erase a 13-8 second set advantage before coming alive. Trailing 18-19, the Lady Tamaraws slowly crept ahead, 24-20, thanks to timely aces. Bernadeth Pons then nabbed FEU’s last point, crushing a hit past a single block.
The Golden Tigresses looked poised to extend the match, going on a 4-0 run to tie the set at 22. An exchange of errors followed by a Pons smash gave FEU a slim 24-23 edge. Symbolic of how the entire match went, FEU got an unlikely ace from junior middle blocker Cza Carandag to cap the win.
After the win, FEU head coach George Pascua lauded his team’s mental toughness and emphasized it’s importance in their Sunday match against defending champions DLSU Lady Spikers.
“Importante na pinakita namin ‘yung pagiging strong namin mentally. Next game namin against La Salle, alam naman natin kung gaanong kalakas sila. ‘Yung physical kasi nauubos, napapagod din ang players. Ang mental hindi,” said Pascua.
FEU recorded 19 aces, the most a team has scored in straights sets this season.
Bernadeth Pons led the Lady Tamaraws with 15 points, rebounding from her poor performance against Ateneo. Toni Basas added 10.
Cherry Rondina topped the Tigresses with 11 points. The Golden Tigresses had 12 excellent receptions with no player able to record a positive percentage.
Both squads play again on Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. The Lady Tamaraws (6-3) take on league-leading DLSU Lady Spikers (7-2) while UST (2-7) takes on the UP Lady Maroons (3-6).
The Scores
FEU (3) – Pons 15, Basas 10, Guino-O 9, Negrito 7, Carandang 5, Domingo 5, Villareal 1, Hernandez 0, Cayuna 0, Malabanan 0, Atienza (L), Duremdes (L)
UST (0) – Rondina 11, Pacres 8, Alessandrini 6, Bicar 5, Francisco 5, Viray 4, Palec 3, Bangad 0, Dizon 0, Teope 0, Pollentes (L), Rivera (L)
