FEU, UST trip foes

FEU Lady Tamaraws. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Far Eastern University notched its third straight win with a 25-17, 24-26, 25-23, 25-19 victory in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

In dealing the Lady Maroons a second straight defeat, the Lady Tamaraws kept their foes from forcing a three-way logjam on top. Instead, FEU collared UP—who took the league by storm with a 4-0 start—at 4-2.
“We are really pushing ourselves in practice, and all these hard work is now paying off,” said FEU coach Shaq Delos
Santos.

In the other game, second-string setter Alina Bicar held University of Santo Tomas together in a 21-25, 25-14, 25-14, 25-12 upset of title favorite National University.

The bedimpled, 5-foot-6 Bicar, a Palarong Pambansa discovery from Eastern Visayas, opened up scoring lanes for UST top gunners EJ Laure and Cherry Rondina while also dumping crucial aces for the Tigresses’ second straight triumph.

More than anything, it was a statement victory for UST, which dealt NU’s third straight defeat and unmasked critical problems for the talent-heavy Lady Bulldogs.

The Tigresses unloaded 11 aces—including Mary Pacres’ game-clincher—as the Lady Bulldogs struggled in receives and created problem in setting for Jaja Santiago and Jorelle Singh.

UST middle blockers Chloe Cortez and Ria Meneses lorded it over the net to shield against NU’s attacks

Bicar, subbing for Alexine Cabanos, finished with nine points and 30 excellent sets for UST.

Bernadeth Pons turned in another impressive performance for FEU, hammering 24 points and making 16 digs, while team captain Remy Palma and Toni Basas added 11 markers each.

FEU also got a little help after UP’s fiery spiker Nicole Tiamzon sprained her right ankle in the heat of the second set.