Far Eastern University survived a thrilling fourth-set rally from their first-round shock tormentor University of the Philippines, clinching a 25-21, 25-16, 14-25, 26-24 victory to strengthen its position in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Final Four race, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Tamaraws erected an early 12-3 lead in the back-and-forth fourth set but the Fighting Maroons, through Kianne Olango’s attacks and Julia De Leon’s steady hands at the service line responded with a 17-4 fiery blast to even take a 20-16 advantage.
FEU retaliated, though, as Faida Bakanke, Chenie Tagaod, and Jazlyn Ellarina pushed their side to match point, 24-22.
UP, had one last run in them as Irah Jaboneta and Kassy Doering made back-to-back hits to force a 24 all tie, only for Olango to make a crucial attack error in the next play before Tin Ubaldo’s single block on Joan Monares sealed the deal.
“Para akong nanonood ng action tapos biglang drama, ang hirap para sa amin i-maintain ‘yung lead pero nakita ko ‘yung maturity ng players kung paano namin i-handle ‘yung behind four points. Very happy na nagkaroon kami ng ganoong turnout,” said FEU head coach Tina Salak.
(“It felt like I was watching action, then suddenly drama. It was hard for us to maintain the lead, but I saw the maturity of the players in how we handled being behind by four points. I’m very happy with how the turnout turned out.”)
The Lady Tamaraws elevated their record to 7-4, tying the UST Golden Tigresses for third and fourth spots. FEU, however, holds the tiebreak due to the win over the other rule.
This important victory that gave the NU Lady Bulldogs a Final Four ticket also pushed the fifth-running Fighting Maroons down to 5-6, two games behind the fourth spot.
UP extended the match to a fourth set after dominating the third, leading 19-8 due to the combined efforts of outside hitter Joan Monares and American middle blocker Kassy Doering.
But the Lady Tamaraws were not to incur another loss against the Fighting Maroons, just like their shock 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 first round defeat.
