By Ardyn Gonzales
The Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws avenged their first round loss to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons with a hard-earned four-set victory, 25-21, 25-16, 14-25, 26-24, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
FEU convincingly won the first two sets in a dominating fashion, before UP answered back with a commanding third set performance to extend the match.
In the fourth set, the Lady Tamaraws surged ahead with a 12-3 lead, but Nina Ytang and Irah Jaboneta sparked a 13-3 run to snatch the lead at 16-15. Series of miscues from FEU led to a 20-16 deficit.
However, Faida Bakanke and Chenie Tagaod saved FEU and forced a 20-all deadlock. It was anybody’s ballgame from then onwards but with Bakanke leading the pack, the Lady Tamaraws prevailed and turned back the comeback attempt of UP.
Bakanke led all scorers with 20 points, while Tagaod and Gerz Petallo chipped in 14 points apiece. FEU’s middle blockers, meanwhile, were held down as Jaz Ellarina finished with nine and Jean Asis only had six.
The Lady Tamaraws continue to share the third spot with UST, both with 7-4 win-loss cards.
On the side of UP, Kianne Olango, Joan Monares, and Jaboneta all produced 13 points each but it was still not enough to get their sixth win in 11 games, which could have boosted their chances to be in the Final Four.
Featured image courtesy of UAAP
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