Paying tribute to Far Eastern University volleyball patriarch Kidd Santos, the Lady Tamaraws kicked off Season 80 with a gutsy win over the Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagles, 19-25, 25-21,18-25, 25-20, 15-9, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
This was also FEU’s first win against Ateneo since January of 2013.
With both teams trading sets, the Lady Tamaraws gained the edge in the fifth set thanks to steady-handed play and clutch serving from Toni Basas. The opposite hitter finished off a run lifted FEU from an 8-all tie to 14-8 advantage to close the match.
The Lady Tamaraws punished Ateneo’s reception with 20 aces, six coming from Basas, while the Lady Eagles could only counter with eight.
“Kilala ko na ang mga players ko, confident ako sa maturity nila lalo na sa mga gipitan,” said FEU head coach George Pascua, who is celebrating his 46th birthday “Magandang challenge ito para sa amin na nakabawi kami sa masamang simula namin. Pero, siyempre, sana mas maganda ang ilaro namin buong game.”
Basas and team captain Bernadeth Pons finished with 14 points apiece, while UE transferee Celine Domingo added 10 markers.
Senior Ateneo open hitter Jhoana Maraguinot topped all scorers with 21 points, while Kat Tolentino added 14.
The Lady Tamaraws (1-0) face the Adamson University Lady Falcons (0-1) on Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. The Lady Eagles (0-1) will try to bounce back against the National University Lady Bulldogs (1-0) on Wednesday also at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Basas 14, Pons 14, Domingo 10, Cayuna 9, Villareal 6, Guino-O 5, Malabanan 3, Hernandez 1, Carandag 0, Negrito 0, Ateinza (L), Duremdes (L)
ADMU (2) – Maraguinot 21, Tolentino 14, Samonte 9, De Leon 8, Madayag 4, Wong 4, Eleazar 1, Lo (L)
