BY ABBY TORALBA
POWERED by its vaunted blocking, Far Eastern University tripped Ateneo 25-22, 22-25, 25-13, 25-21 yesterday for its second straight win at the end of its first-round campaign in the 86th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Tamaraws, who previously defeated Adamson University, rose to 4-3 for solo fourth spot entering the second round.
“Doon sa 15 blocks na ‘yun, ‘yun talaga yung pinractice namin at pinag-aralan namin na dapat naming gawin kapag kalaban ang Ateneo kasi mostly ang technical nila matataas ‘yung bola so kailangan namin ng timing. ‘Yung pinag-aralan namin lumabas naman,” said FEU head coach Manolo Refugia of their season-high 15 blocks.
University of Santo Tomas topped the first round with a perfect 7-0 record, while defending champion La Salle and National University were not far behind with 6-1 and 5-2 slates, respectively.
After losing the second frame, the Lady Tamaraws rediscovered their fight and routed their foes in the third 25-13.
Through the efforts of Lyann De Guzman and Zey Pacia, Ateneo slashed the gap to two late in the fourth, 20-22, but Gerzel Petallo and Faida Bakanke connected for the FEU victory in two hours.
“Masaya na number four kami pero round one pa lang, hindi po kami nagmamadali. Iniisip pa po namin kung paano namin malelevel up ‘yung game namin sa second round,” said Tin Ubaldo, who tossed 15 excellent sets to go with four attacks and two blocks.
Chenie Tagaod top-scored for the Tamaraws with 18 points she laced with 13 receptions and 10 digs, while Bakanke and Petallo had team-best four blocks each on their way to 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Jean Asis also finished with 12 points on nine attacks, two blocks, and a service ace.
