FEU Lady Tamaraws’ Jean Asis (19) during a game against the Adamson Lady Falcons in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Jean Asis has been aspiring for a Final Four atmosphere in a Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws outfit.
This could be it for the resilient middle blocker as they marched closer toward their goal on Tuesday with a 25-19, 25-23, 25-23 whipping of Adamson at the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
“We made those seasons that we didn’t make it to the semifinals our motivation,” said Asis after helping the Lady Tamaraws inch to the post-elimination playoffs with their sixth win out of 10 games.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round
Asis was instrumental after posting double figures in scoring along with Faida Bakanke, Chenie Tagaod and Gerzel Petallo.
The hawkish quartet combined for 46 points, majority of them kills that the Lady Falcons found no answer while Christine Ubaldo made them look good with 13 excellent sets.
“We were able to bring that momentum in our victory against Ateneo. It also inspired us to get back at the teams that defeated us in the first round,” said Tagaod after adding seven receptions and two aces.
Red Bascon fired 11 attacks out of her 13 points and Barbie Jamili likewise added 11 kills before the Lady Falcons flopped for the eighth time in 10 games.
FEU Lady Tamaraws’ Chen Tagaod.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The FEU victory removed the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons (1-9) out of the semifinal picture for good.
“Our team was really determined to advance to the Final Four after missing it the past two seasons. Now that we are getting closer, we have to push ourselves even harder,” said Asis.
Asis knocked down a kill and Karyme Truz blocked Bascon’s attack, giving the Lady Tamaraws enough breathing room near the end of the second set.
Tagaod then fired two consecutive strikes that put them way ahead before Faida Bakanke’s crosscourt sailed to Adamson’s backrow undefended at set point.
The Lady Tamaraws refused to alter the storyline in the final frame with Ubaldo’s block on Ayesha Juegos giving them a four-point advantage.
May Ann Nuique and Bascon scored a kill each and the Lady Falcons seemed headed to extend the match, but Bakanke responded with two straight crosscourt attacks launched at the same spot.
Jamili tried to resuscitate Adamson with a hit following a service error on the other end, but it all ended in vain as the Lady Tamaraws finished them off.