FEU Lady Tamaraws during Game 2 of the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge Finals against UST Tigresses. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The confetti had dropped and the University of Santo Tomas was already celebrating after Cassie Carballo nailed the potential championship-clinching dump.
But Far Eastern University had other plans, spoiling the Tigresses’ party with a 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 19-25, 17-15 win that forced a a do-or-die Game 3 for the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge title.
The Lady Tamaraws escaped the jaws of defeat after successfully challenging for a net fault to tie the fifth set at 14. The players and officials cleaned up the confetti before Carballo brought back the advantage to UST.
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But FEU scored three straight points courtesy Jaz Ellarina and Tin Ubaldo followed by Clarisse Loresco’s match-clinching ace to pull the rug from under UST.
“When the confetti exploded, I felt regret, but when the point was reset, I didn’t let go of the opportunity given to me,” said team captain Tin Ubaldo, who had 22 excellent sets, 10 digs, and four points including three blocks. “After the call favored us, we huddled and told ourselves this was our chance to bounce back. The favor is on our side, and we shouldn’t let it slip away.”
FEU Lady Tamaraws’ coach Tina Salak speaking to Tin Ubaldo. –PVL PHOTO
Jean Asis and Faida Bakanke led FEU with 20 and 18 points, respectively. Ellarina delivered 16 points, while Lovely Lopez and Chenie Tagaod combined for 20 points with the former scoring 11 to forge a winner-take-all set Friday.
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“Super happy because we really worked hard for this win and everyone contributed,” said Ubaldo. “Though there were many lapses and miscues, we were still able to recover.”
FEU bounced back from getting swept, snapping the nine-game unbeaten run of UST, which missed tournament MVP Angge Poyos due to illness.
The Tigresses fought back from a 1-2 match disadvantage but blew a 13-9 lead in the fifth before the premature celebration.
Reg Jurado stepped up with 24 points and 14 digs. Jonna Perdido had 17 points and 16 excellent receptions. Renee Peñafiel had 15 points, filling in the void left by Poyos. Pia Abbu had five blocks to finish with 10, while Detdet Pepito protected the floor with 26 digs and 18 receptions.