MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University squandered a 2-0 set lead but pounced on error-strewn College of Saint Benilde early in the fifth set to fashion out a 25-19, 32-30, 15-25, 24-26, 15-4 victory in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.
The Lady Tamaraws blew a 23-21 lead and a match point in the fourth set but quickly jumped to a 7-1 lead in the fifth on miscues by the Lady Blazers then held on to secure their first victory.
Celine Domingo topscored with 14 points anchored on 12 attacks while Jerrili Malabanan, rookie Lycha Ebon, Jeanette Villareal and Kyle Negrito, who combined in FEU’s strong 7-0 finishing tear in the fifth, wound up with 11, 11, 10 and three points, respectively.
Negrito also produced 20 excellent sets to complement her point-production.
“I told them that volleyball is not won by two sets. Don’t stop and keep fighting,” said Lady Tamaraws coach George Pascua, who also noted the fast improvement of his rookies, Ebon and France Ronquillo, who had four points.
Marites Pablo struck a game-high 20 points, Jan Daguil rammed in the set-clinching kill in the fourth that forced the decider and finished with 18 markers while Klarisa Abriam piled up 15 for the Lady Blazers, who absorbed their first defeat.
CSB, now coached by Jerry Yee, fell to 47 errors in the match.
UST likewise hurdled its opening game assignment, dominating the first two sets before rallying in the third to complete a 25-21, 25-12, 25-17 rout of San Sebastian College in the other game.