By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws put on a dominant blocking display against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles for a 25-22, 22-25, 25-13, 25-21 triumph in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night, March 17.
The Lady Tamaraws finished with a season-high of 15 blocks, with four each coming from Faida Bakanke and Gerzel Petallo, as they closed the first round of eliminations in fourth place in the standings with a 4-3 win-loss slate.
“Doon sa 15 blocks na ‘yun, ‘yun talaga ‘yung pinractice namin at pinag-aralan namin na dapat naming gawin kapag kalaban ang Ateneo,” Lady Tamaraws head coach Manolo Refugia said in a post-game interview.
“Mostly kasi ang technical nila [Blue Eagles] matataas ‘yung bola, so kailangan namin ng tamang timing. ‘Yung pinag-aralan namin lumabas naman,” the first-year FEU mentor added.
Chenie Tagaod led the way for the Lady Tamaraws with a triple-double of 18 points, 13 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs, while Bakanke and Petallo had 12 and 10 points, respectively.
“Masaya na no. 4 kami, pero Round 1 pa lang po, hindi po kami nagmamadali. Iniisip pa po namin kung paano namin male-level up ‘yung game namin sa second round,” Tin Ubaldo, who had 15 excellent sets to go with six points, said.
Lyann de Guzman scored 14 points to go with 16 digs and 14 receptions, while Sobe Buena and Geezel Tsunashima also chimed in with 11 points apiece for the Blue Eagles, which dropped to 2-5.
Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons ended the first round with a 25-21, 25-20, 20-25, 25-17 beating of the University of the East Lady Warriors.
Both teams now have a 1-6 record.
Stephanie Bustrillo delivered 24 points, on 22 attacks and two service aces, to go with seven excellent digs as the Fighting Maroons snapped their six-game losing skid to improve to 1-6.
Bacolodnon Joan Marie Monares and Antiqueña Irah Jaboneta contributed 12 markers apiece. Pling Baclay had seven blocks to end up with 10 points, while Dannica Celis also finished with 10 points for UP./ASC, WDJ