FEU Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippine–Far Eastern University recovered lost ground after walloping Adamson University, 25-13, 25-22, 25-17, on Saturday night in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball.
Faida Bakanke shone in her finest game so far with 14 points with energetic hitters Chenie Tagaod and Gerzel Petallo providing ample support in notching the Lady Tamaraws’ third win in six games.
“We lost two games, so we are really determined to win this one,” said Bakanke after FEU bounced back from stinging setbacks against University of Santo Tomas and National University.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round
Petallo had 12 points together with Tagaod on top of 10 digs, 10 receptions and one ace.
“We studied their movements and executed our game plan,” said Tagaod.
Ayesha Juegos had 10 points highlighted by nine attacks and May Ann Nuique contributed nine points and four blocks for the Lady Falcons, who absorbed their third defeat in five games.
READ: FEU gets ‘morale booster’ with sweep of UP in UAAP volleyball
“Our team has a strong determination to exceed our performance last season,” said FEU coach Manolo Refugia Jr.
Overall, the Lady Tamaraws, who finished fifth last year, are running fourth as they intend to keep it that way and advance to the Final Four.
“We’ll just take it one game at a time. We’re playing our last game in the first round against Ateneo. We need to learn how they move on the floor and execute well with the proper mindset,” said Refugia.
Ann Asis knocked down a crosscourt spike and a rotation error committed by Adamson helped accelerate the latter’s downfall at the final play of the opening set.
The Lady Falcons attempted to even up matters in the next set with a down-the-line attack by Juegos helping their cause.
But Petalio made sure there won’t be another Adamson rally by hammering it down off a Christine Ubaldo feed at set point.
The Lady Tamaraws fought off Adamson’s courageous effort in the final set with Petalio and Alyzza Devosora taking the initiative.
After Petalio’s smash through the block, it was Devosora’s turn to sparkle as she scored on a spike and a push prior to Nuiqui’s error at match point.