16 February 2019
By Ardyn Gonzales
Last season’s runner-up Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws tallied their first win of the season via a four-set victory, 22-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-12, over the rookie-laden National University Lady Bulldogs in the opening day of the UAAP women’s volleyball Season 81, Saturday, at the FilOil Flying-V Arena in San Juan.
FEU’s composure was tested by the young NU squad after wasting a 21-14 lead in the opening set. The super rookies of the Lady Bulldogs in Princess Robles and Ivy Lacsina punished the veterans of Lady Tamaraws by pulling off a 11-1 run to steal the set.
However, FEU was able to channel their championship experience by quickly recovering in the next three sets. NU had a difficult time in their offense in the fourth set as their main setter Joyme Cagande unfortunately injured her left knee in the latter part of the third frame after colliding with teammate Roselyn Doria.
It was the first win of the Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP after the graduation of the heart and soul of the team, Bernadette Pons.
The rookies led both teams as Lycha Ebon topscored for FEU with 13 points on 9 attacks and 4 service aces, while the core of the multi-titled NU squad in the high school division Ivy Lacsina and Princess Robles chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively.
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