FEU Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. .–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Christine Ubaldo felt relieved that Far Eastern University has inched toward its ultimate goal with another win.
But the Lady Tamaraws’ ace setter is likewise skeptical with four other teams breathing down their necks.
“We have to think of ways to level up our performance in the second round,’’ said Ubaldo after helping the Lady Tamaraws subdue the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 25-22, 22-25, 25-13, 25-21, on Sunday night in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round
They are comfy right now at solo fourth after closing out the first round with four victories against three loses, and yet Ubaldo doesn’t feel safe at all.
“We’re confident, but not too confident. This is only the first round, we’re not sure if we could keep it up,’’ said Ubaldo, who engineered the FEU win with 15 excellent sets, six points and two blocks.
The Blue Eagles fell to 2-5 as the second round starts on Wednesday. They are tied with the Adamson Lady Falcons at fifth while tailenders University of the Philippines and University of the East are way behind.
Hitters Lyann De Guzman and Sophia Buena did most of the heavy lifting as they combined for 36 points for the Blue Eagles.
“Our goal this season is to play in the Final Four. We have to maintain what we’ve built so far and be consistent,’’ said Chenie Tagaod after leading her team with 15 attacks from a game-high 18 points plus 13 receptions, 10 digs and a pair of blocks.
The Lady Tamaraws registered a season-high 15 blocks with Faida Bakanke and Gerzel Petallo posting four rejections each. Bakanke and Jean Asis delivered 12 points apiece and Petallo had 10.
READ: UAAP volleyball: Faida Bakanke posts best game yet for Lady Tamaraws
Petallo’s push above two Ateneo defenders put them on the threshold of seizing the first set. Buena made it easier for the Lady Tamaraws after her spike sailed beyond the end line at set point.
The Blue Eagles stormed back in the succeeding set with Buena and De Guzman spearheading the assault.
Second round targets
But while FEU is savoring the win, the Lady Tamaraws just can’t help but think about the teams they haven’t hurdled yet—defending champion La Salle, National University and unbeaten leader University of Santo Tomas.
“All we have to do now is to be consistent, knowing that we lost against these teams. They know that we can compete and we will work on learning the skills needed against them,’’ said FEU coach Manolo Refugia Jr.
The Lady Tamaraws didn’t waste time in the third set, racing to a double-digit advantage through the efforts of Petallo and Tagaod before Ubaldo helped clinch the fourth set with a push to an open spot.
Successive attacks by Asis gave FEU a five-point breather, after which Bakanke took over with a block on Buena and a powerful down-the-line hammer at match point.
“We expect that teams will pour it all into the second round, so we have to be ready against them,’’ said Refugia.