Rivalry classic: FEU edges UST in cardiac affair for UAAP eliminations sweep

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Faida Bakanke, Tine Ubaldo, and a clutch Gerzel Petallo tow FEU to a crucial four-set thriller win and standings tie over rival UST, which in turn saw a career game from Beth Hilongo go to waste

MANILA, Philippines – In a four-set comeback thriller for the ages, the FEU Lady Tamaraws escaped the UST Golden Tigresses for a crucial victory to start their UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball second-round run, 25-22, 26-24, 17-25, 26-24, at the packed Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, March 23.

In front of more than 8,200 fans, FEU forged a 5-3 standings tie with UST in third place, while idle La Salle, set to face undefeated NU (8-0) later in the afternoon, sits at second at 5-2.

Sophomore star Faida Bakanke had one of her best games yet in the green and gold colors, blasting away 22 points on 18 attacks, 2 blocks, and 2 aces, while captain Tine Ubaldo tossed 22 excellent sets.

Jaz Ellarina and Gerzel Petallo rose as two of Ubaldo’s playmaking beneficiaries with identical 12-point totals – the latter player standing out with a clutch fourth-set barrage straight to UST libero Detdet Pepito that turned the tides to the Lady Tamaraws’ favor.

Down 17-11 in the fourth set after giving up a blowout loss in the third, FEU cranked up the intensity in the face of adversity, exploding for a 9-2 turnaround capped by a Petallo cross to take a 20-19 lead.

UST last led, 24-23, off a Bakanke attack error, but the Lady Tamaraws rose as a collective in the clutch, taking turns with a Chen Tagaod attack, Mitzi Panagin ace, and an emphatic Jean Asis block on Reg Jurado to seize the thrilling 3-0 finish.

UST top season scorers Jurado and Angge Poyos scored 20 and 14, respectively, but were clamped in the attacking department as the pair combined for 110 attacks with only 32 going through.

In their stead rose former libero Beth Hilongo, who gave her all in the losing effort with 17 points, 11 excellent digs, and 9 excellent receptions.

Poyos, however, still made her presence felt in the non-scoring department with game-highs of 19 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions, as Pepito (14 excellent digs) got out-dug by three of her teammates in a rare off game. – Rappler.com