Chinese import Coco Wang came up with a tough block on Bernadeth Pons and then delivered a power hit to break open a tight 13-all match and seal the deal for the Net Spikers in the match that took two hours and a minute to complete.
Wang had a game-high 23 points, from 18 spikes, two blocks, and three service aces, while Maureen Penetrante-Ouano had 14, Maica Morada and Stephanie Mercado with 11 each, and Fille Cainglet 10 for Meralco, which raised its record to 2-1 for solo third place.
“Ang nagdala na lang sa amin 'yung tapang nina Maureen, pero basically ibibigay ko 'yun sa FEU, matiyaga talaga sila,” said a humble Meralco coach Oliver Almadro after the five-set victory.
Meralco took the first two sets, but lost control of the third as the Lady Tams took the lead, 17-8, to extend the match.
FEU raced to a 22-18 lead in the fourth, but Meralco countered with a 5-1 run to tie the game at 23-all.
But the Morayta-based spikers still had a fight left in them, answering with back-to-back hits to force a deciding fifth set.
“Medyo hesistant pa 'yung mga bata tapos 'yung FEU pa ang bilis mag-adjust,” said Almadro.
Pons and Mary Palma both had 20 points for FEU, which remained winless in two games.
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