NATIONAL U overcame a sluggish start to pull off a reverse sweep against Far Eastern University, 17-25, 16-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-12 in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Arah Panique was at the center of it all, dropping the highest single-game output of the young season with 27 points on 23 attacks, three blocks, and one ace to make sure her side remained perfect through three matches.
Still, the defending champions needed to dig deep after their tripping over themselves in the first two sets, managing only nine points on average, largely due to unforced errors.
The Lady Bulldogs finally came to life in the third set, as primary setter Lams Lamina took the reins of orchestrating the blue-and-gold offense.
Lamina guided her squad to 15 attack points - far higher than their first two sets - helping them claim a 25-19 win and stave off a sweep.
NU then went full throttle and took command in the fourth, forcing the first decider of the tournament, where the Lady Tamaraws were actually knocking on the doorstep of victory at 12-7.
Panique, however, refused to fold, as her cross-court strike and kill block punctuated eight unanswered points that gave the her side a comeback win - and gave FEU another heartbreak at the hands of their rivals from Jhocson.
No panic from Panique
“Sobrang saya lang po kasi makikita naman po sa team namin nung first and second set na parang nahirapan kami. Pero binigay ko na lang po talaga yung best ko kasi kailangan ako ng team, kailangan ko din mag-step up,” said Panique.
“Na-inspire ako sa mga kasama ko nung third set na hanggang fifth set na ilaban kasi nga nakikita ko na palaban talaga kami. Nakikita ko yung eagerness nila na manalo. So ako magiging, binibigay ko na lang po yung best ko,” she added.
Vange Alinsug also delivered an all-around masterpiece, posting a triple-double of 15 points, 13 excellent digs, and 15 excellent receptions, while rookie sensation Sam Cantada got 11 markers despite her own slow start.
Lamina, provided a steady hand off the bench, dishing out 19 excellent sets in a crucial relief role.
On the other side, Gerz Petallo fronted the effort with 14 points, while Clarisse Loresco and Aly Devosora chipped in 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
Instead of scoring back-to-back wins, FEU fell to 1-2, now with losses to last year's finalists in La Salle and National U.
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