IT was a no-mercy start to the second round for Far Eastern University.
The Lady Tamaraws pulverized University of the East, 25-11, 25-15, 25-22, in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Stung by a straight-sets loss to University of Santo Tomas to end Round 1, FEU came out firing to open the second half of eliminations, climbing to 5-3 with four wins in its last five.
The Lady Warriors, on the other hand, are still stuck in a downward spiral, falling to 0-8 and stretching a brutal losing streak to 22 matches dating back to Season 87.
The green-and-gold got going right away behind familiar leaders Jaz Ellarina and Faida Bakanke, even as it continued to miss one of its top scorers in captain Gerz Petallo, who is still recovering from an apparent right arm injury suffered in their defeat to the Golden Tigresses.
"Hindi rin naman kasi biro na UE 'yung kalaban namin," said head coach Tina Salak.
"We're hoping na mas makapag-contribute pa lahat at maging comfortable sila sa mga adjustments na gagawin namin."
FEU gonna 'Be Brave'
The Lady Tams never took their foot off the gas in the opening set, where they stretched the gap to as much as 14 points.
It was more of the same in the second set, even with UE mainstay Khy Cepada trying to breathe some life into their struggling stand.
The red-and-white showed far more fight in the third set and finally pushed FEU into a real battle from start to finish.
Rookie Eljane Nogueras even nudged the Lady Warriors ahead, 21-20, late in the frame, but Bakanke took over when it mattered most.
The Congolese open hitter delivered the Lady Tamaraws’ last four points to finish with 14 and slam the door on any hopes of an extension.
Ellarina added 11 points, while Melody Pons and Lovely Lopez turned in solid two-way efforts, as well. Pons finished with nine points, nine digs, and five receptions, as Lopez chipped in seven points on top of eight digs and eight receptions.
For UE, Cepada was the lone bright spot once more, posting 15 points, 10 digs, and seven receptions in another forgettable outing.
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