FEU Lady Tamaraws. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University recovered from its previous loss, bouncing back at the expense of University of Santo Tomas, 19-25, 25-20, 25-19, 27-25, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Tamaraws clamped down in the fourth set stopping a spirited comeback attempt from the Golden Tigresses as both teams now own identical 2-2 records.
FEU saw its 24-21 lead crumble when UST took a 25-24 lead after Eya Laure’s efforts
Dimdim Pacres, however, sent her service straight to the net to seal the Lady Tamaraws win.
FEU head coach George Pascua said he had to remind his players on what they’ve been doing right and let out that killer instinct that was absent in the Lady Tamaraws’ five-set loss to Ateneo wherein they squandered a two-set lead.
“We’ve had experiences wherein we were leading by two sets and come the fourth and fifth set we will give in,” said Pascua in Filipino. “I told them that they should always be sharp in the crucial sets because those are the scenarios where they will mature.”
A scary moment happened to UST late in the second set when Season 80 Rookie of the Year Milena Alessandrini injured her left knee after a bad landing.
Cherry Rondina then suffered cramps in the fourth set allowing FEU to push the Golden Tigresses to the limit.
Celine Domingo finished with 17 points for the Lady Tamaraws while Heather Guino-o and rookie Lycha Ebon had 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Laure had a game-high 20 points for the Golden Tigresses while Rondina finished the match with 16.