Lady Tams halt Red Spikers, gain solo lead

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern U bounced back from a scrambling opening game victory with a more convincing 25-16, 21-25, 25-19, 25-22 triumph over San Beda U yesterday as the Lady Tams seized the solo lead in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Celine Domingo dished out a personal best 22-hit game, including 15 attack points and four kill blocks, while playmaker Kyle Negrito produced 21 excellent sets as the Lady Tams recovered from a second set meltdown to foil the debuting Red Spikers and notch their second straight victory in the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

In its previous match against St. Benilde, FEU blew a 2-0 set lead but regained its bearing in the decider to escape with a 25-19, 32-30, 15-25, 24-26, 15-4 decision last Sunday.

UST matched FEU’s hot 2-0 start with a 25-23, 25-22, 25-16 victory over Perpetual Help in the other game.

Rookie Eya Laure scored 12 kills while Fil-Italian Milena Alessandrini backed her up with 11 hits and 10 digs as the Tigresses posted their second straight lopsided result following a 25-21, 25-12, 25-17 romp over San Sebastian last Sunday.

The Lady Altas dropped to 0-2.

After a dominant first set performance against the Red Spikers, the Lady Tams struggled in the next frame, enabling the former to draw level before the latter reasserted their might – upfront and on the floor – and swept the next two.

“We struggled in our middle attack and passing. But when they finally connected, we were able to get a good flow of the game,” said FEU coach George Pascua, who also drew 10 and nine markers from Ebon Lycha and Jerrili Malabanan, respectively.

Twins Nieza and Jiezela Viray combined for 29 points but San Beda’s top hitter and skipper Cesca Racraquin was held to just five markers.