FEU Lady Tamaraws send spiraling UST Tigresses to 3rd straight loss

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The FEU Lady Tamaraws improved to an even 2-2, adding to the woes of the UST Tigresses, after a 4-set victory, 25-22. 25-18, 15-25, 25-23, on Saturday, February 13, at the San Juan Arena. 

After winning a close first set and dominating the second set, the now 0-3 Tigresses were able to win the third set in emphatic fashion but squandered an 8-5 lead in the fourth set to lose the game.

Both Toni Basas and Mary Palma scored in double figures for the Lady Tams, finishing with 19 and 12 points, respectively. 

Heather Guino-o also played well by posting 9 points, while Bernadeth Pons had 6 points.

UST was led by Mela Tunay, who registered 16 points. Cherry Rondina also helped out with 14 points, while EJ Laure posted 10 points.

Both teams were fairly equal in the statistical categories, but it was the 36-32 errors advantage of FEU that played a major role in a game where their total score, 90, beat UST’s only by two, 88.

“Kahit may injuries sa team namin, nagperform pa din (Even if our team has injured, we performed.),” said FEU head coach Shaq Delos Santos post game.

After UST surrendered its early 3-point lead in the fourth set, both teams went back and forth with putting points on the board. 

The Tigresses were able to create some separation by going up 21-19, but 4 straight points by FEU (3 from Basas) turned the momentum of the contest.

After UST stopped the bleeding with a Rondina conversion, Basas scored on another kill to put her team at match point. An FEU error delayed the win, but Basas scored again on the next rally to finally seal it.

FEU will be back in action when they face UP on Sunday, February 21, while UST will take on UE next on Wednesday, February 17. – Rappler.com