FAR Eastern University held its ground against a late Ateneo push, securing a 25-17, 25-17, 26-24 win in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Lovely Lopez delivered the finishing touches, firing the final two attacks to erase an Ateneo set point and seal the sweep for the Lady Tamaraws.
After opening the season at 1-2, FEU has now climbed above .500 with back-to-back victories over Adamson and, this time, the Blue Eagles to improve to 3-2.
Lady Tams show character
“May mga times na nakikita na namin ‘yung talagang character ng players [when coming] from behind ng three points, five points,” said FEU head coach Tina Salak.
“Normal na ‘yun na nakikita ko sa kanila, pero kung paano sila mag-respond, du’n talaga ako happy.”
The first two sets unfolded in near-identical fashion, with the Lady Tamaraws capitalizing on Ateneo’s mounting unforced errors.
The Blue Eagles handed FEU 12 free points across those two frames, compounding their own offensive struggles.
Ateneo finally showed signs of life in the third set, racing to a 19-12 lead and threatening to force an extension.
But Lopez and Faida Bakanke ignited a late FEU surge that trimmed the deficit to just one at 22-21.
The Blue Eagles still reached set point first at 24-23, putting a fourth set within reach.
Lopez, however, took matters into her own hands, scoring the final two points to complete the comeback and seal the sweep.
The sophomore winger finished with eight points, four coming from blocks, matching Cla Loresco’s total at the net.
Bakanke paced the Lady Tamaraws with 12 points and five digs, while Jaz Ellarina added 11 markers from the middle and Gerz Petallo chipped in nine points and 11 digs.
Ateneo struggled to generate offense, with Tsunashima the lone Blue Eagle in double figures with 11 points and four digs.
Zey Pacia contributed six markers, while rookie Ana Hermosura added five in the loss.
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