The Lady Tamaraws arrested a 4-match losing streak to the Lady Bulldogs dating back to Season 75
LOSERS NO MORE. Bernadeth Pons (dark) attacks NU's blockers on her way to 15 points and helping FEU arrest a 4-game losing streak over the past 2 years. Photo by Josh Albelda/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Bernadeth Pons and Toni Rose Basas exploded for 15 points apiece as the FEU Lady Tamaraws relied on a collective effort to sweep the sluggish NU Lady Bulldogs, 25-23, 26-24, 25-10, in the women’s volleyball tournament of UAAP Season 77 on Saturday, December 13 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Tamaraws arrested a 4-match losing streak to the Lady Bulldogs, who swept the former in Seasons 75 and 76. FEU last won a game against last year’s Final Four finisher on January 14, 2012 during Season 74.
Basas and Pons had 14 and 12 attack points, respectively, while Charlemagne Simborio chipped in 11 markers. Mary Joy Palma scored 5 points, two of those she earned from blocks.
The first and second sets were a tight affair, with FEU bringing the energy from the get go. They faltered at the start of the second, however, as NU built an 18-11 lead.
But the Lady Tamaraws would not be denied of a convincing first win over the Lady Bulldogs in two years. They clawed back into the game and kept their composure during the deuce, where they scored the last two points off a Jorelle Singh attack that went wide and an Yna Papa kill which caught the endline.
By the third set, FEU’s momentum was in full swing and they wrested full control of the game. Simborio scored on timely attacks which gave her squad a 20-9 advantage as the Lady Tamaraws cruised to the victory.
Jaja Santiago was the lone bright spot for the Lady Bulldogs with her 19 points on 15 kills, 3 blocks, and a service ace. Rizza Mandapat and Myla Pablo added just 7 and 6 markers, respectively.
NU’s main setter Ivy Perez returned in this game after missing her team’s last two games. She still was not in top game shape, however, after she sprained her ankle. She had just 1 point as Jocelyn Soliven still carried the setting load with 9 excellent sets.
Rookie Singh had just 4 points as she played through a similar sprained ankle.
FEU improved to 3-3 while NU fell to 2-3 in the standings.
Scores:
FEU: Pons 15, Basas 15, Simborio 11, Palma 5, Malabanan 4, Papa 2, Casugud 2, Dawson 1, Guino-o 1.
NU: Santiago 19, Mandapat 7, Pablo 6, Singh 4, Perez 1, Soliven 1.
– Rappler.com
