UAAP volleyball: FEU bolsters bid for twice-to-beat after rout of UE

FEU Lady Tamaraws. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Far Eastern University moved closer to a twice-to-beat advantage after easily dispatching also-ran University of the East, 25- 17, 25-15, 25-20, in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

The Lady Tamaraws improved to a 9-4 record, tied with Ateneo at the second spot of the standings, and are assured of at least a playoff with the Lady Eagles for the no. 2 seed in case they end the eliminations with the same win-loss cards.

Despite leading 8-0 at the start of the set, the Lady Tamaraws had a hard time knocking out the Lady Warriors as the girls in red-and-white slowly chipped away at the lead and drew closer at 12-9.

FEU held a 24-18 lead but the Lady Warriors managed to score twice more with Laizah Ann Bendong scoring on a drop ball to make it 24-20.

Jerrili Malabanan, however, has had enough of UE’s persistence and finished off the Lady Warriors with an off-the-block kill.

With his team on the verge capturing a twice-to-beat advantage, FEU head coach George Pascua said he wants his team to maintain their pace as they head on to face National University for the Lady Tamaraws’ final elimination game.

“The objective is to get that twice-to-beat advantage and I told them once we play well we can get one of the top two spots,” said Pascua whose team won its third straight game. “Basically speaking, the twice-to-beat advantage will be our gift to ourselves for playing well.”

Celine Domingo led all scorers with 16 points for FEU while Bernadeth Pons and Jeanette Villareal added 13 points apiece.

Mary Ann Mendrez and Shaya Adorador both had 11 points to lead the 2-11 Lady Warriors.