MANILA, Philippines -- The FEU Lady Tamaraws are going into the second round of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament firmly on the fourth spot, after trouncing the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 25-22, 22-25, 25-13, 25-21, Sunday evening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It was a defensive masterclass for FEU, which unleashed 15 blocks in the victory.
After dropping a tough second set, the Tamaraws regained their form and asserted their mastery with a 25-13 third set.
In the fourth set, Ateneo cut the lead to two, 20-22, late.
Gerzel Petallo and Faida Bakanke, then, teamed up to secure the victory.
A Bakanke down-the-line hit ended the match that took two hours.
Chen Tagaod led the Tamaraw charge with 18 points, 13 receptions and 10 digs.
Jean Asis had 12 points, while Bakanke added 11.
Lyann de Guzman led the Blue Eagles with 14 points, while also contributing 16 digs and 14 receptions.
Sobe Buena and Geezel Tsunahima added 11 each.
With the win, FEU, which won two straight to end the first round, is now holding a 4-3 win-loss record, good for solo fourth place.
Ateneo, on the other hand, slipped to 2-5. The Katipunan-based squad is tied with the Adamson Lady Falcons behind the Lady Tamaraws.