Far Eastern University turned back erstwhile unbeaten University of Santo Tomas, 25-21, 25-23, 25-23, for a strong start in the second round of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Lady Tamaraws overcame a furious rally by the Golden Tigresses from nine points down in the third set to pull off a surprise sweep in their Pool F debut.
Jean Asisi thrived as a converted opposite hitter, scoring 12 points she punctuated with the match-clinching kill for FEU’s fourth straight win following a first round sweep in the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R and B Milk Tea and Summit Water.
“Sobrang saya po kasi sa mga past games namin, hirap talaga kaming talunin sila. Finally, natalo namin sila in three sets. So ang sarap sa feeling na nagawa namin ‘yung part namin na maglaro ng maayos at ma-defeat sila,” said Asis, who was switched to the wing spot from her natural position as middle blocker.
The well-rested Lady Tamaraws, coming off a two-week break, raced to a 13-4 advantage in the third frame and looked headed to a quick disposal of UST after a close first two sets.
But Angge Poyos and Jonna Perdido willed the Tigresses back in a scorching 11-1 run to take the lead, 15-14. FEU got back on top, 21-18, only for UST to knot it at 21 after a Poyos hit.
The Lady Tamaraws answered with a 3-1 counterattack to reach match point. Regina Jurado saved a point for the Tigresses before Asis ended the one-hour, 45-minute encounter.
Asis had eight kills and accounted for four of FEU’s 10 kill blocks while Jazlyn Ellarina finished with 12 points anchored on nine spikes, two kill blocks and an ace.
UST slid to a 1-1 slate in the round where two quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantages are at stake.
Poyos had 14 points while Perdido added 10 markers for the Tigresses, who saw their five-game win streak snapped
