FEU Lady Tamaraws’ Gerzel Petallo during a UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament game against Ateneo Blue Eagles. –UAAP PHOTO
Far Eastern University ended its losing skid by surviving Ateneo, 25-15, 20-25,25-17, 24-26, 15-11, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“I’m very happy with their performance. But like I said, it shouldn’t be lacking—they need to be ready in case situations like this happen,” coach Tina Salak said. “Still, it was a convincing win… We want to push them even more so that by the second round, we’re fully prepared to fight back against all the struggles we’re facing now.”
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SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament first round
The Lady Tamaraws capitalized on their net defense with a significant 20-2 advantage on blocks to improve to a 2-2 record from back-to-back losses.
Gerzel Petallo dropped 18 points from 14 attacks and four blocks apart from 14 excellent receptions for the Lady Tamaraws with two others putting up double digit points.
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“We really worked hard in training because we had a whole week to prepare,” Petallo said. “We studied them carefully, and that’s why we held on until the very end.”
FEU Lady Tamaraws’ Gerzel Petallo during a UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament game against Ateneo Blue Eagles. –UAAP PHOTO
Faida Bakanke contributed 15 points out of 10 attacks and five blocks as Mitzi Panangin showed her worth with 11 points made up by five kills and a game-high six blocks.
“On the way here and even in the dugout, all I kept thinking was that if I got subbed in, I just wanted to contribute and make the coaches proud that they made the right choice,” Panangin said.
“Like I said earlier, I always stay ready when my name is called. I prepare myself and set my mindset, whether I’m playing as an opposite hitter or in the middle,” she added.
READ: UAAP: FEU looking for consistency after 1-2 start in women’s volleyball
Tin Ubaldo played a crucial role after activating her hitters with 17 excellent sets.
At the 9-all mark in the fifth set, Ubaldo and Bakanke joined hands to manufacture a 4-0 run that allowed the Tamaraws to finally pull away. AC Miner landed a running attack before Taks Fujimoto committed a crucial service error.
Lyann de Guzman found a spot for a drop ball before Bakanke finalized the result by sending a kill down the line.
It was still a gritty fight that the Blue Eagles showed mainly by De Guzman who had 23 points on 21 kills, a block and an ace, Sobe Buena chipped in 18 points, Miner finished with 13 points and Yvana Sulit added 10 points.
It was an efficient ball distribution from Fujimoto who tossed 23 excellent sets. Buena also made an effort on the defense with 12 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions. De Guzman also helped with 11 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions.
But all those numbers went down the drain as Ateneo absorbed a third loss in four games.
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FEU will have a short turnaround time as it goes on to its next assignment in winless University of the East while Ateneo aims to bounce back battling University of Santo Tomas next Sunday, both in the same Pasay City venue.
