By Ardyn Gonzales
The Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws finally ended a two-game losing skid after escaping the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in a five-set marathon, 25-15, 20-25, 24-26, 15-11, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Prior to their win against Ateneo, FEU lost their two matches after their breakthrough win against UST. The Lady Tamaraws displayed strong net defense all throughout the match, tallying 20 kill blocks against the two of the Blue Eagles, including the back-to-back blocks in the fifth set that gave FEU a four-point advantage after a 9-all deadlock.
After losing the extended fourth set via a service ace from Ateneo, the Lady Tamaraws learned their lessons in their five-setter defeat against the defending champions and escaped Blue Eagles after tying the match at 9-all.
Faida Bakanke delivered the crucial consecutive kill blocks against Lyann de Guzman, 13-9, before Ateneo committed an untimely service error to give FEU the match point. The Blue Eagles saved two points before Bakanke provided the clinching point through a well-placed down the line attack.
Bakanke finished with 15 points for the Lady Tamaraws, while Gerz Petallo led them in scoring with 18 markers, including 14 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs.
Meanwhile, despite the loss, Ateneo still had a great showing behind the triple-double performance of De Guzman and Sobe Buena. De Guzman had her season-high 23 points to go with 11 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions, while Buena also had 18 markers on top of 12 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
FEU tallied their second win for a 2-2 win-loss card, while Ateneo suffered their third loss in four games, 1-3.
Featured image courtesy of UAAP
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