THE UST Golden Tigresses suffered their first loss in the V-League women’s collegiate challenge after falling to the FEU Lady Tamaraws in Game 2 of the Finals on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the PhilSports Arena.
The Lady Tamaraws capitalized on the absence of V-League MVP Angge Poyos to survive the trophy-seeking Tigresses in a five-set thriller, 25-22, 25-22, 25-21, 25-19, 17-15, forcing a do-or-die duel.
UST’s hope for the title was denied after an anticlimactic net touch challenge on Cassie Carballo’s decisive play at match-point at 14-13. This gave FEU the momentum to overturn the match and extend the series, 17-15.
UST struggled to find their rhythm early in the game, allowing FEU to build a three-point advantage after a kill by outside hitter Chennie Tagaod from the middle, 12-9.
Outside hitter Jonna Perdido sparked an 8-3 run for the Tigresses, 17-15. However, a series of miscommunication errors allowed the Lady Tamaraws to reclaim the lead and seal the set after a crosscourt kill from opposite hitter Faida Bakanke, 25-22.
In the second salvo, middle blocker Jean Asis’ scoring barrage put the Morayta-based squad to an early three-point lead, 7-4. The España-based squad eventually caught up after Perdido converted an off-speed shot to put her team ahead, 20-17.
Two straight off-the-block kills from opposite hitter Reg Jurado and outside hitter Ren Peñafiel gave UST the second set, 25-22.
It was a neck-and-neck battle in the third set as the Tigresses clung to a two-point edge courtesy of a topspin hit from Jurado, 15-13.
FEU took advantage of UST’s errors, overtaking the lead in the latter part of the set after back-to-back quick hits from middle blocker Jaz Ellarina, 25-21.
The fourth frame followed a similar script with both teams locked on a tight exchange. UST pulled away late in the set thanks to a crucial block from middle blocker Pia Abbu on Tagaod, 20-17.
The Tigresses then forced a decider after an off-speed hit by Jurado from the left pin, 25-19.
Without Poyos, Jurado led the scoring load with 21 kills, one block and two aces. Perdido tallied 17 points, while Peñafiel and Abbu contributed 15 and 10 markers, respectively.
FEU also saw four players in double digits. Asis topped the team with 20 points, followed by Bakanke with 18, Ellarina with 16, and Lopez with 11 points
Still golden
After the game, the V-League recognized the most outstanding players of the conference in an awarding ceremony.
Golden Spiker Gboy de Vega and Poyos headlined the ceremony by winning MVP of their respective divisions.
Four other Tigresses joined the star spiker: Detdet Pepito earned the Best Libero prize, Cassie Carballo won the Best Setter honors, Jurado clinched the Best Opposite Spiker award and Em Banagua took the Best Middle Blocker honors.
Meanwhile, middle blocker Popoy Colinares was also named the Best Middle Blocker in the men’s division.
The Golden Tigresses will seek for their V-League title in Game 3 of the Finals on Friday, Oct. 4 at the same venue. F – with reports from Shayne Lee Andreas Macaraeg
