UAAP Volleyball: Lady Tams sweep UST to solidify hold of playoffs slot
MANILA, Philippines – With the race for a final four slot intensifying, the Far Eastern University earned themselves a better position for a playoffs berth as they demolished University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses in straight sets, 26-24, 25-18, 25-18, in the 76th UAAP Women’s Volleyball tournament, Sunday, February 2 at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Lady Tamaraws had to buck a languid start against a struggling UST squad to book their sixth win against five losses and keep hold of the fourth spot as the eliminations approaches its wrap-up.
The Tigresses came out of the gates roaring as they put on a searing start but FEU worked their way hard to tie the game at 22-all.
With FEU at set-point, Jem Gutierrez nailed her sixth point in the opening set to come within one, 23-24 but hits from Genevieve Casugod and Mary Palma gave the Lady Tamaraws a nerve-wracking 26-24 first frame win.
It was all downhill for the Espana-based squad as they practically yielded to FEU’s spirited assault and committed 10 lapses to hand the Tams a 25-18 win in the second set.
With Adamson University breathing down their necks on the table at 5-6, FEU gained a little leverage as they finished off UST in the third with a 25-18 whipping to send a strong message to the Lady Falcons ahead of their game on Wednesday, February 5.
Rookie Bernadette Pons led FEU’s offensive as she finished with 12 points off 11 attacks and distances herself over her competition in the Rookie of the Year race.
UST, dropping to 4-7, will be hell-bent to win their remaining games if they are to stay in contention for a Final Four slot.
Aside from Adamson, FEU has University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila on their plates while UST will square off with De La Salle, Ateneo, and Adamson on their remaining games. - Rappler.com
