By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE University of the Philippines Lady Fighting Maroons improved to 2-0 in UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball after bringing down the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in four sets in their maiden encounter on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Displaying steady determination and aggressiveness, UP got over gritty FEU, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22 and 25-20, to remain unscathed in the ongoing University Athletic Association of the Philippines tournament.
Earlier in the day, the Ateneo Lady Eagles barged into the win column of the new season with a four-set victory over the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, 25-21, 25-21, 16-25 and 25-22.
The UP-FEU battle got off to a pendulum-like start with momentum swinging back and forth.
FEU raced to an 8-3 lead before UP charged back to tie the count at 8-all.
The Lady Tamaraws created another separation after only for the Lady Maroons to catch up at 14-all, from which they built a 16-15 lead by the second technical timeout.
Following that, led by Tots Carlos and Isa Molde, UP pulled away to take the first set.
The Lady Tamaraws once again rolled off fast in the second set with Celine Domingo and Kyle Negrito humming.
FEU had a 16-7 lead midway and never relinquished the lead to level the contest at one set apiece.
The two teams continued to jostle, fighting to a 16-15 count in favor of the Lady Tamaraws midway into the third frame.
Molde, Carlos and Justine Dorog, however, towed UP to a strong finish to claim the set, 25-22, and match lead, 2-1.
Got the motor it needed, UP dictated the pace at the beginning of the fourth set.
It would lead FEU, 16-12, at the second technical break.
The Lady Maroons then bucked every challenge that their opponents threw at them as they held on to preserve the win.
Carlos had 15 points for UP in the win with Dorog and Molde shooting for 12 and 11.
Lycha Ebon, meanwhile, led FEU (1-1) with 16 while Domingo had 11.
“It was a tough game but we fought hard. Credit as well to the fans for egging us to continue fighting. This is win is for them,” UP coach Godfrey Okumu in the postgame press conference.
LADY EAGLES WIN
In the first game, Ateneo (1-1) booked its first victory of the season after outsteadying UST (1-1) in an engaging and competitive contest.
The opening two sets of the match took a familiar route with UST taking control early before Ateneo’s experience would be showcased as the match progressed en route to claiming the frames.
Sensing that the game was slipping from their hands, the Tigresses came out the third set with more bite.
Boosted by superb serving from Alina Bicar, UST raced to a 7-0 lead and was up, 8-3, by the first technical timeout.
The team continued to roll after, galloping to a 16-6 advantage midway into the frame.
Ateneo then tried to make a comeback led by captain Bea De Leon.
It came within five points, 20-15, but could not come any closer than that as UST went on a 5-1 run to close out the set and extend the contest.
At the start of the fourth set it was the Lady Eagles who had it strong, building an 8-2 count.
They would not relent on stepping on the gas pedal amid the stiff challenge from the Tigresses to stay in command, 16-9, by the second technical timeout.
UST was undaunted, however, pulling itself to within two points, 18-16.
A ferocious fight ensued with both teams trying to get the momentum.
The count stood at 23-22, and Ateneo still on top, before Kat Tolentino and the Lady Eagles went for the finish.
Tolentino led Ateneo with 22 points, 16 off kills, while Maddie Madayag had 15 points.
Sisi Rondina had a team-high 20 for UST with rookie Eya Laure and Minela Alessandrini adding 12 and 10 points, respectively.
“Happy that we were able to bounce back after a loss. The team showed a lot character in the end of the game and we have to continuing building on that,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro postmatch.
The Lady Eagles next play on Feb. 24 against FEU while the Tigresses will also see action on the same day versus UP.

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