UAAP volleyball: FEU tops Ateneo for back-to-back wins

FEU Lady Tamaraws.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Far Eastern University ended its first round campaign on a high note after downing Ateneo, 25-22, 22-25, 25-13, 25-21, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum

Chenie Tagaod fired 18 points from 15 attacks, two blocks and an ace, lacing that offense with 10 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions to lift the Lady Tamaraws to solo fourth place with 4-3 record.

Faida Bakanke and Jean Asis added 12 points each while Gerzel Petallo added 10 for the Lady Tamaraws, who will head into the second round with a two-game streak.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round

“‘Yung goal po talaga namin this season is makabalik kami sa Final Four. Kailangang pagtrabahuan lahat—from service to attack, blockings, depensa, receptions namin,” Tagaod said.

“Wino-work namin siya and ngayon, nakikita naman kung ano ‘yung kinakalabasan and nagp-progress kami araw-araw,” she added.

Asis scored three consecutive points to give the Tamaraws a hefty five-point lead, 20-15.

Lyann de Guzman, AC Miner, who had eight points and six digs, and Zey Pacia tried to bring Ateneo back to the game but FEU’s net defense, anchored by Bakanke and Petallo, proved too much for the Blue Eagles.

READ: UAAP volleyball: Tagaod, Bakanke lead FEU charge back to winning ways

“Masaya po na No. 4 kami, pero kasi Round 1 pa lang po. ‘Di po kami nagmamadali. More on iniisip pa po namin kung paano po namin male-level up ‘yung game namin sa second round kasi hindi pa naman po tapos,” Christine Ubaldo said.

The Lady Tamaraws setter activated the offense of FEU with 15 excellent sets to sink Ateneo (2-5), which was also coming off a victory over Adamson.

De Guzman fought hard with 14 points, mostly from attacks, and 16 excellent digs as well as receptions even as Sophia Buena and Geezel Tsunashima added 11 points apiece despite FEU producing a season-high 15 blocks.

“Ayun talaga yung pinractice namin and ayun yung pinagaralan namin na dapat namin gawin pag kalaban namin yung Ateneo,” FEU coach Manolo Refugia said. “Kasi mostly na technical nila matataas yung bola so kailangan ng timing. Yung pinagaralan namin, lumabas naman. Nagbunga yung 15 blocks.”

The league has yet to release its schedule of games for the second round.