Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Traditional college heavyweights University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University clipped their respective foes Wednesday to seize a share of the early lead in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Showing a more dedicated finishing kick, Far Eastern U hacked out a 25-16, 21-25, 25-19, 25-22 triumph over San Beda.
Celine Domingo dished out a career-high 22-hit game, including 15 attack points and four kill-blocks, while playmaker Kyle Negrito produced 21 excellent sets as the Lady Tams foiled the debuting Red Spikers and notched their second straight victory.
UST later matched FEU’s record with a 25-23, 25-22, 25-16 victory over Perpetual Help in the other game.
Rookie Eya Laure scored 12 kills while Filipino-Italian Milena Alessandrini backed her up with 11 hits and 10 digs as the Tigresses posted their second straight lopsided result following a 25-21, 25-12, 25-17 romp over San Sebastian last Sunday.
The Lady Altas dropped to a 0-2 slate.
The Tigresses again flaunted their bench depth, drawing points from several players as they continued to send a strong message to the rest of the field despite a relatively young core.
FEU is considered one of the favorites in the tournament but opened up its campaign on a shaky note after nearly blowing a 2-0 set lead against St. Benilde.
The Lady Tamaraws needed to steady the ship in the decider before emerging with a 25-19, 32-30, 15-25, 24-26, 15-4 victory last Sunday.
Against San Beda, FEU came out with a strong start, weathered a solid second set performance by San Beda and then lowered the hammer in the next two sets to reassert their status as title contenders in this tournament.
“We struggled in our middle attack and passing. But when they finally connected, we were able to get a good flow of the game,” said FEU coach George Pascua, who also drew 10 and nine markers from Ebon Lycha and Jerrili Malabanan, respectively.