V-League: SWU turns back FEU in 5-setter

MANILA, Philippines - Southwestern University scrambled past Far Eastern U in a marathon five-setter, hacking out a 27-29, 30-28, 25-21, 19-25, 15-13 victory to wheel back into contention in the eighth Shakey’s V-League first conference at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan late Thursday.

Princess Pido and Danika Gendrauli delivered the last two points in a down-to-the-wire fifth set to snatch the victory for the Lady Cobras, who bounced back from their opening game setback to the Lyceum Lady Pirates last Tuesday.

“We needed the win since another loss would’ve dashed our hopes,” said SWU coach Jordan Paca, also citing the crowd factor that continued to affect their game.

But the reigning CESAFI champions bucked the pressure and a tough FEU side as they eked out the victory in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Accel as official outfitter and Mikasa as official ball.

Pido wound up with 20 hits, including 15 kills, while Gendrauli fired 19 attacks for the Lady Cobras, who also drew 11 points from Danalie Baquiro and eight hits apiece from Rapril Aguilar and guest player Erika Verano.

Rosemarie Vargas scored a game-high 25 hits that went down the drain as the Lady Tams took their second straight loss in Group A after dropping a straight-set game to fancied Ateneo.

The two teams split the extended first two sets with FEU taking the first frame highlighted by seven deadlocks and SWU battling back in the next on a winning attack by Aguilar.

SWU went ahead with a four-point win in the third set but FEU, behind Vargas, Kathlene Magsumbol and guest players Rachel Daquis and Wenneth Eulalio, fought back to send the match into a deciding fifth set.