Behind relentless defense, FEU secured its first win of Season 77 with a 25-14, 26-24,
25-20 victory over the Lady Maroons at the San Juan Arena.
While the Lady Maroons had moments where they looked like they were about to wrestle
control of the game away from FEU, the Lady Tams were just too much, adjusting to
every wrinkle UP tried to unfold. FEU’s superior defense at the net and on the floor
overwhelmed UP, forcing them to a whopping 30 errors.
FEU’s middle tandem of Geneveve Casugod and Remy Palma dominated the first set,
denying UP of most of their chances at building offensive momentum and allowing FEU
to handily take the first set. The Lady Tams lost the grip in the second set, with
UP nibbling at any lead they built, even taking it from them momentarily late in the set.
UP went as far as forcing a deuce, but were eventually done in by their own unforced
attack errors.
FEU spitfire open hitter, Bernadette Pons ripped the UP defense for 15 points, 14 off
spikes. Casugod and Palma had 8 and 10 points respectively while Charm Simborio
pitched in with 6.
UP was without the services of team captain, Angeli Araneta who had taken the game off
to take the NMAT exam, but got a stellar outing from Nicole Tiamzon, UP’s converted
setter from last season, who led them in scoring with 12 points. Kathy Bersola had an off
outing, being unable to score until the second set, and only managed 5 points.
UP will face NU this Wednesday while FEU’s next opponent will be defending champs,
Ateneo on Saturday.
