FEU, UP go for bounce-back wins

By Josiah Albelda Posted Dec 11th 2013

University of the Philippines hopes to book its first win as the Lady Maroons meet Far Eastern University in the 76th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Maroons pushed Adamson University to five sets before eventually succumbing to the more experienced Lady Falcons, who rode on Mayette Zapanta’s heroics to book their first win this year.

UP, who has three rookies and three sophomores in its starting lineup, was on the brink of scoring only its third win in the last three seasons, but could not muster a solid stand in the deciding set in their second straight defeat in Season 76.

Skipper Angeli Araneta led the Lady Maroons with 18 points while second-year middle Kathy Bersola anchored the Diliman-based squad’s defense and finished with a career-best 17 markers.

Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraws handily won their opening game against minnows University of the East, but were sent crashing back to earth by Ateneo de Manila University last Saturday.

FEU has been relying on newcomers Geneveve Casugod and Bernadeth Pons, both of whom have delivered impressive numbers in their first two UAAP games.

However, the Lady Tamaraws could not rise against Alyssa Valdez and Ateneo de Manila University, bowing to the Lady Eagles, 19-25, 23-25, 18-25, in a game that was not as close as the score showed.

The Morayta-based crew’s net defense was nonexistent in allowing Ateneo to deliver 42 hits in just three sets and would have to do a better job against UP’s taller spikers.

The game will air live on Studio 23, BALLS HD 167 and uaapsports.tv with a same day replay at 9 p.m. on BALLS SkyCable channel 34/ Destiny Cable channel 36.