FEU Lady Tamaraws’ Chenie Tagaod.–UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Chenie Tagaod and Tin Ubaldo sparkled anew in Far Eastern University’s pivotal season-ending push as the Lady Tamaraws flattened the University of the East Lady Warriors, 25-19, 25-15, 22-25, 25-16, on Wednesday night at the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
Firing at will from all angles, Tagaod delivered 21 points, 19 of them crucial attacks, that helped propel the Lady Tamaraws to another win that will strengthen their bid for a possible twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four.
“We need to polish our movements going into the semifinals. We should elevate our game with two more games left (in the elimination round),” said Tagaod.
FEU coach Manolo Refugia, Chenie Tagaod, and Tin Ubaldo talk about their fourth straight win. #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/UTJunLltI9
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 17, 2024
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round
Ubaldo actually made Tagaod look better as well as hitters Faida Bakanke and Gerzel Petallo with 21 excellent sets in a stirring all-around performance.
The Lady Tamaraws picked up win No. 8 after 12 games and could still possibly gain a No. 2 spot by sweeping the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons and the National University Lady Bulldogs in their remaining matches.
But it will only happen if two of the three top teams—University of Santo Tomas, La Salle and NU—don’t go beyond 10 victories at the end of the second round.
“We just have to focus on the things that we have control over. What we should do is to strengthen our system as we approach the Final Four,” said FEU coach Manolo Refugia.
READ: UAAP volleyball: FEU gets back at UST to book Final Four berth
Petallo had 14 points and had 10 digs and four receptions while Bakanke added 10 points and one block for the Lady Tamaraws.
As for the Lady Warriors, they fell for the 10th time in 12 games with rookie Casiey Dongallo leading the way with 17 points, four blocks, 10 digs and eight receptions.
The Lady Tamaraws initially ran the show with Tagaod unloading a crosscourt attack and Ubaldo tallying a push that shoved them ahead to a six-point advantage.
Ubaldo aced her serve in the next sequence and Alyzza Devosora targeted the UE back row with a down-the-line kill at set point.
Petallo and Jean Asis combined forces in the ensuing set as the Lady Tamaraws pulled away early and continued to hold sway. Petallo rolled a push and Tagaod duplicated the act for a 19-11 FEU lead and Asis stretched it further with a sharp down-the-line attack.
Petallo’s off-speed spike followed by back-to-back errors by Riza Nogales and Dara Nieva put the Lady Warriors on the edge before falling off with another Tagaod hit.
Staring at a possible sweep, the Lady Warriors finally made the effort to keep pace in the third set and were greatly rewarded.
Trailing by two after a Tagaod strike, the Lady Warriors leaned on a strong 6-1 windup courtesy of Claire Castillo’s efficient service and timely smashes by Dongallo.
Castillo’s ace turned it around and a FEU net violation dug a deeper hole for the Lady Tamaraws prior to the twin attacks of Dongallo, who punctured the defense with a hit through the block and an off-the-block hammer at set point.
“We relaxed during our defeat in the third set. We weren’t able to maximize the opportunities to end it quickly. We lacked the composure and killer instinct at that time,” said Ubaldo, who also tallied seven points, nine digs and an ace.
Bakanke and Tagaod then buckled down to work, pelting the UE floor with a variety of hits that put the Lady Tamaraws comfortably on top.
Bakanke knocked it down the line for a 19-11 lead and FEU went into cruise control after that by weathering their rival’s last-ditch attacks.
Bakanke and Petallo widened the gap with successive strikes before errors hounded the Lady Warriors that accelerated their downfall.
Ubaldo dashed UE’s hopes for good with a push off a one-two play at matchpoint.