FAR Eastern University wrapped up a character-building week-long, three-match stretch with a 25-23, 15-25, 25-13, 25-10 conquest of Adamson in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Tamaraws, who stretched their winning run to three matches to remain in third place at 4-2, showed their dominance in the third and fourth set after the Lady Falcons were able to level at one set apiece.

“Happy naman kami sa nakitang performance ng mga players. Nagbubunga na ‘yung from heartbreaking na talo sa UP. Paunti-unti nakakabalik so naipakita na nila ‘yung FEU Lady Tamaraws talaga,” said assistant coach Manolo Refugia.

Earlier, La Salle posted its first winning streak of the season following a 25-12, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17 romp of winless University of the East.

Gerzel Petallo showcased an all-around performance of 16 points, 15 receptions and five digs, while Congo’s Faida Bakanke logged 13 points and seven digs for the Lady Tamaraws.

Following up its recent conquests of Ateneo and UE, FEU displayed being preseason contenders.

“Nakakapagod ‘yung sunod sunod na games pero at the same time iniisip ng team kung ano nga ba ‘yung goal namin this season, ‘yun talaga ang nangunguna,” said Jean Asis, who had 14 points on 6-of-13 kills, five aces, and three blocks.

The young Lady Falcons, who fell in a tie with the Fighting Maroons at 2-3, continued their learning curve.

Rookie Shai Nitura paced Adamson with 24 points, 13 receptions and nine digs while Nigeria’s Frances Mordi added 12 points, 11 receptions and 17 receptions.

After a week-long break for much-needed recovery, the Lady Tamaraws look to close out their first round campaign on a high note against the Lady Spikers on Saturday.

Angel Canino led La Salle with 20 points, including three blocks and three service aces, 10 digs and nine receptions Jyne Soreño and Alleiah Malaluan chipped in 12 points apiece while Em Provido had 11 points.

Assistant coach Noel Orcullo though was not satisfied on the outcome, as the Lady Spikers allowed the Lady Warriors to level at one set apiece before securing the next two to bag their third win in five matches in fourth spot.

“Hindi naging maganda ‘yung result ng game although we won pero hindi ‘yun ‘yung gusto namin makita sa kanila. ‘Yun nga second set nakuha ng UE, nandoon na kami lamang kami pero nagrelax sila eh, parang hindi nila nirespeto, hinintay na lang nila ang UE kung magkakamali o aayaw na,” said Orcullo.

Mikole Reyes tossed 23 excellent sets, scored three points and collected six digs as the rookie playmaker as trying to get into the groove as La Salle’s starting setter.

Up next for the Lady Spikers are the Blue Eagles in a rivalry match on Wednesday at the same Pasay venue. La Salle has won its last 14 meetings against Ateneo since May 2, 2017.

Van Bangayan came through with 17 points and 11 digs, while Kayce Balingit added nine points, including two service aces, as Khy Cepada, the Lady Warriors’ leading scorer, was held to just eight points.

Men’s division-leading FEU moved on the cusp of sweeping the first round, but not without surviving a tough Adamson stand in the third set to pull off a 25-23, 25-20, 31-29 victory.

La Salle rallied from a four-point hole late in the first set, taking that momentum to the next two for a 26-24, 25-13, 25-23 win over UE to raise its record to 3-2.

The Tamaraws fell behind by as much as 8-15, and the Soaring Falcons reached set point, 24-21. Still, FEU persevered despite the odds, as rookie Luis Miguel, Dryx Saavedra, and Mikko Espartero drilled in key kills while libero Vennie Ceballos produced key digs to close out one-hour, 39-minute match.

“Malayo talaga ‘yung hinabol namin, yung team chemistry ang nakita kong nadevelop namin ngayon kaya nakahabol kami, ibig sabihin ‘yung team nagmamature na,” said assistant coach Rene Dulay after FEU raised its perfect record to 6-0.

Saavedra led the Tamaraws with 18 points on 14-of-30 kills and four blocks, while Espartero backed him up with 14 points, including three blocks. Setter Ariel Cacao, who entered as second set starter, tossed in 15 excellent sets while Ceballos collected eight digs and 12 receptions.

With the Red Warriors ahead 24-20, the Green Spikers scored the opening set’s final six points to prevail. La Salle dominated the second set before fending off a tough UE stand in the third to complete a straight-set romp.

The Red Warriors, now 0-5, missed main setter Andre Bicar for a second straight match due to a sickness and open spiker Steven Aligayon had to do playmaking duties after Dave Poquita suffered an injury in the second set.

“I just reminded the team na kung ano man ang magiging resulta, ilaban niyo. Whether nawala na ‘yung setter ng UE, it doesn’t mean na ibibigay na nila ‘yung laro so sabi ko keep on going,” said Green Spikers coach Jose Roque.

Transferee MJ Fortuna had a match-best 13 points on 10-of-20 kills and three blocks and collected five digs, while Vince Maglinao, who rates himself at 90 percent healthy back from a grade 2 right ankle sprain, made his first double-digit game this season with 11 points along with eight digs as well.

Adamson and UE fell to 1-4 and 0-6, respectively.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado