The FEU Lady Tamaraws outlasted the Ateneo Blue Eagles in five sets, 22-25, 23-25, 25-12, 25-21, 15-10, in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, keeping their Final Four hopes alive.
Down two sets to none, the Lady Tamaraws regrouped and forced a decider behind a dominant third set and a composed fourth. In the fifth set, FEU capitalized on Ateneo’s errors, while Melody Pons and Cla Loresco delivered key points to turn a slim 10-9 lead into a 15-10 victory.
“‘Yung first set hindi nag-work ‘yung game plan namin… but ayun nga lesson namin ‘yung first two sets. Kailangang may mag-step up, kailangang may mag-embrace ng responsibility na iiwan ng mga seniors,” said Lady Tamaraws head coach Tina Salak.
Gerzel Petallo, Lovely Lopez Spearhead FEU
Gerzel Petallo led FEU with 17 points, 16 excellent digs, and 11 excellent receptions. Lovely Lopez added 13 points and 26 excellent receptions, while Kyle Pendon also scored 13 points off the bench. Faida Bakante had 11 points in two sets, while Loresco chipped in 10 points.
Setter Tin Ubaldo orchestrated the offense with 22 excellent sets, while libero Marga Encarnacion anchored the defense with 15 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions.
For the Blue Eagles, Dona De Leon paced the team with 15 points, while JLo Delos Santos added 12 points and 11 excellent digs. Rookie Ana Hermosura also finished in double figures with 10 points and 12 excellent receptions.
FEU Gets Timely Assist from Rival
The Lady Tamaraws’ fate initially hung in the balance, needing an NU Lady Bulldogs win over the UST Golden Tigresses to force a playoff.
That scenario unfolded later in the day, as the Lady Bulldogs completed a reverse sweep over the Golden Tigresses, officially setting up a do-or-die playoff for the last Final Four spot.
“Sabi ko naman sa team, kahit two percent lang. Ngayon, binibigyan pa kami ng two percent kasi nanalo pa kami. Kung magkaroon pa kami ng mas malaking chance, we’ll take it without any questions, without any reasons kasi ito ‘yung pinaghandaan namin for Season 88,” Salak said after their victory and before the match between the Golden Tigresses and the Lady Bulldogs.
“I know mahirap for us na nagkakaroon kami ng ganitong struggle, but definitely going against UST on Saturday, pusuan na.”
The Lady Tamaraws and the Golden Tigresses will now face off in a knockout playoff for the last Final Four spot on Saturday, April 25, 3:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
