FEU Lady Tamaraws stole a win off of UST

(June 7, 2009; Sunday) The Arena, San Juan – FEU Lady Tamaraws won 3 sets to 1 over the once unblemished record of the UST Tigresses of the 6th season, 1st conference of the Shakey’s V-league; more importantly, FEU managed to forced a rubber match against UST in their best of three semi-final battle.

The 1st set of the game was dominated by the Tigresses, coupled with power hits by UST alumnus and guest player, Mary Jean Balse; who seems to fill in the space left by Michelle Carolino, another guest player of UST who was not around since Game 1 of the semis, for she was in Vietnam to play in an international beach volleyball tournament. However starting set 2 until the end, the tide went in favor of the Lady Tamaraws thru a series of errors by Aiza Maizo and others plus attacks from Cherry Mae Vivas, Shaira Gonzales and Rachel Daquis of FEU.

The pivotal point of the game was in 3rd set where FEU guest players, Rubie De Leon and Marietta Carolino showed what they’ve got. De Leon, the best player of the game made a four straight points all by herself, including two service aces and a single block. Though UST struggles to keep the set tight, Marietta Carolino made a crucial solid block that sealed the set for FEU. For this set, FEU had 12 attacks, 3 blocks and 4 service aces against the 14 attacks, 1 block and 0 serve for UST.

Rubie De Leon, Best Player of the Game

FEU continues to grab the momentum they’ve had in the 4th set. The Lady Tamaraws were persistent to win this set and consequently the second game of the semis match-up. Daquis and Vivas had a number of “off the block” spikes. For FEU’s defense, Balse was blocked, FEU was up (21-18), but Balse quickly returned the point for UST by her block of Vivas’ spike, making the score (21-20), single lead for FEU. There was an intense deadlock at 23 points, but not until Daquis made another off the block spike putting FEU in match point and finally won the match against the powerhouse UST. The final score was (16-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-23).

As this article is being written, the match between SSC-R and Adamson is on-going; San Sebastian is up by two sets to zero versus the Adamson Lady Falcons. The rubber match game of FEU and UST will be on June 9, Tuesday still at the Arena in San Juan.