Far Eastern University delivered a strong message by taking down twice-to-beat National University, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23, in Game One of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
Tin Ubaldo gave the Lady Tamaraws’ title hopes an all-important lifeline with 16 excellent sets to force a do-or-die match for a spot in the Finals — one FEU last had back in Season 81 five years ago.
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By axing a two-year, six-game skid to NU, FEU moved to within a win away from a shot to end its 16-year title drought en route to what could be a 30th UAAP women’s volleyball crown for the league’s winningest school.
"Talagang ginusto talaga namin. Pumunta kami, nag-ensayo kami, ginusto talaga nila. Naniwala sila na kaya nila, na kaya ng team, na kaya namin lahat na talunin talaga 'yung NU," said FEU head coach Manolo Refugia.
"Ang masasabi ko lang, 'wag nating kakalimutan na may FEU. 'Yun lang."
The Lady Tamaraws showcased utter dominance as they achieved a remarkable upset, halting the Lady Bulldogs' impressive seven-game winning streak by sweeping the entire second round of preliminary play.
Chenie Tagaod (12 points and 10 receptions), Jean Asis (11 points) and Mitzi Panangin (10 points) took over for the fourth-seeded Morayta side and also capitalized on an error-plagued NU charge with 25 in the three-set contest.
NU was held to a rare off-night, one that could prove costly, with only MVP frontrunner Bella Belen hitting double figures with 12 points built on 11 attacks and one ace.
In four days' time, FEU will shoot for a first Finals trip in five years while NU will aim for its third-straight title series appearance and make the most of its twice-to-beat advantage.
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