Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Far Eastern University earned its first string of back-to-back games after brushing off winless University of the East, 25-20, 25-17, 24-26, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Tamaraws improved to 3-2 and took a share of third place with Ateneo while the Lady Warriors, who played their first match without beleaguered former head coach Francis Vicente, dropped to 0-6.
Celine Domingo, who is a former Lady Warrior, got going in the clutch for FEU when she first gave the Lady Tamaraws a 23-19 lead after a block on Mary Ann Mendrez.
She then followed it up with an off-balanced kill that gave the Lady Tamaraws their first match point at 24-21.
FEU head coach George Pascua was satisfied with how his team strung together two consecutive victories, essentially recovering from their back-to-back losses.
“It’s a good comeback because we lost two straight before this one, so hopefully we can sustain this the whole season,” said Pascua in Filipino. “Our goal every game is to win, be it in five sets or three.”
Pascua, however, wanted more aggressiveness from his players after they dropped the third set.
“They’re too kind to their opponents, so I hope that the they can unleash the Tamaraw spirit,” said Pascua. “They just have to charge because sometimes they stop attacking, but when they get it going it’s a quick victory for us.”
Bernadeth Pons led the Tamaraws with 21 points while Domingo added 19 points.
Heather Guino-o and Toni Rose Basas also topped the 10-point mark with 12 points apiece.
Mendrez had a season-high 21 points to lead the Lady Warriors with Shaya Adorador adding 18.