FEU outlasts UE in five-setter for 2nd straight win

SAN JUAN CITY, Philippines – The FEU Lady Tamaraws managed to turn back the upset-seeking UE Lady Warriors in five sets, 25-15, 24-26, 25-22, 20-25, 15-9 for back-to-back wins in the 81st UAAP women's basketball tourney at the FilOil Flying V Centre on Wednesday.

Rookie Lycha Ebon led the Lady Tamaraws by converting in the clutch, finishing with a team-high 21 points.

FEU notched their third win of the season while UE fell to a 1-4 win-loss record.

The Lady Tamaraws were quick to establish dominance early in the match. 

Taking advantage of the lack offense from the Lady Warriors, FEU outplayed their opponents.

Relying on the offense of Celine Domingo and Ebon, the Lady Tamaraws cruised to draw first blood, 25-15.

But UE remained resilent after the opening set loss. Come the second set, the Lady Warriors were able to play at pace with the Morayta-based squad.

The teams traded points throughout the set, with neither team pulling away.

FEU looked poised to take the dominant 2-0 lead with a four-point advantage, 20-16.

But the Lady Warriors had other plans as they clawed back in the match. 

Courtesy of offense from Mean Menendrez and unfortunate errors on the part of FEU, UE was able to tie things up, 26-24.

It continued to be a close fight between the squads in the third set, with the momentum swinging UE's way late in the set, 21-19.

Costly miscues from the Lady Warriors, however, staved off their chances to claim the 2-1 lead.

Ebon also took the reins for FEU late in the third to take back the advantage, 25-22.

Seemingly deflated after giving up the third set, the Lady Warriors once again struggled to find their offense.

UE managed to stay in the game thanks to errors from FEU.

The Lady Tamaraws looked to close out the match as they led, 20-16.

But UE went on a blistering 9-0 run, relying on attacks from Menendrez and Judith Abil to force the fifth and deciding set, 25-20.

After stealing the fourth set win from FEU, UE looked more confident coming into the final set.

The Lady Warriors held a three-point cushion, 7-4. 

Despite the deficit, the Lady Tamaraws willed themselves back into the game.

FEU eventually took the lead, 9-8 after an attack from France Ronquillo.

After that, the Lady Warriors just seemed to run out of steam.

Ebon doomed any upset hopes with back-to-back attacks to end the game, 15-9.

The Lady Tamaraws have now won two games in a row.

"Yung pagkapanalo namin, di sya ganon kadali kasi sabi ko nga sa team ngayon, lahat unpredictable ang magiging performance," FEU head coach George Pascua said.

Meanwhile, Menendrez led the Lady Warriors in their gallant stand against FEU with 21 points.