MANILA – Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws overcame a four-point deficit in the fifth set to score a 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 19-25, 17-15 victory over University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses in Game 2 of the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge Finals on Wednesday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
With the Golden Tigresses holding to a 13-9 advantage in the fifth set, the Lady Tamaraws went on a 4-0 scoring run, capped by an attack by Tin Ubaldo, to tie the score at 13-all.
The Golden Tigresses regained the lead at 14-13 via a conversion by Jonna Perdido, and they thought they already clinched the championship following a connection from Cassie Carballo.
A challenge from the Lady Tamaraws head coach Tina Salak erased the Golden Tigresses’ 15th point after Carballo was captured touching the net, resulting in a 14-all count for both teams.
Both teams traded conversions for the final deadlock at 15-all before the Lady Tamaraws got a 16-15 lead from a conversion from Ubaldo and the Golden Tigresses committed a receiving error to end the match.
Jean Asis spearheaded the Lady Tamaraws’ offense with 20 points on 17 attacks and three blocks, while Faida Bakanke and Jaz Ellarina contributed 18 and 16 points, respectively.
Lovely Rose Lopez came through with 11 points, while Chenie Tagaod had nine markers to go along with 11 excellent receptions as the Lady Tamaraws send the match to a do-or-die Game 3 today.
“Super happy kasi talagang pinagtrabahuhan namin ‘yung win na ‘to. Parang lahat talaga nag–contribute sa win. Though maraming lapses, ‘yung errors, miscues, pero nakabawi pa rin kami,” said FEU setter Tin Ubaldo.
Regina Jurado paced the Golden Tigresses with 24 points on 21 attacks, two blocks, and one ace to go along with 14 excellent digs, while Jonna Perdido and Renee Peñafiel added 17 and 15 markers, respectively.
In the men’s division finals, De La Salle University Green Spikers kept their title-retention bid alive with a 25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20 victory over Far Eastern University Tamaraws in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals series./PN
