FEU vies for solo 4th

By Anthony Divinagracia Posted Jan 25th 2014

Far Eastern University (FEU) walks the Final Four tightrope anew, but falling remains a non-option today as the Lady Tamaraws meet winless University of the East (UE) to stay on the upper half of the 76^th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.

The Lady Tamaraws (4-4) eye no less than a resounding victory over the Lady Warriors (0-8) in the 2 p.m. curtain-raiser to gain solo fourth place.

Currently tied with Adamson University (4-4), the Lady Tamaraws fell short of that goal last Saturday after yielding an 18-25, 24-26, 23-25 loss to second-running National University (NU).

Rookies Bernadette Pons and Marie Simborio carried the brunt of FEU’s offense while its veterans struggled all game long against the taller NU frontline, led by sisters Dindin and Jaja Santiago.

Pons and Simborio scored 12 and 10 points, respectively to lead the Lady Tamaraws. But minus the usual offensive output of Gyzelle Sy, Remy Palma, Mayjorie Roxas, and Toni Basas among others, the Lady Tamaraws practically trailed the Lady Bulldogs on all fronts, especially in attacks, 29-50.

Defensively, the Lady Tamaraws failed to stop the older Santiago, who scattered a game-high 17 points, as well fellow reliables as Myla Pablo, Mina Aganon, and Aiko Urdas.

UE for its part absorbed its 25^th straight loss since 2010 with a 19-25, 14-25, 25-23, 22-25 beating from University of Santo Tomas (UST) last Saturday.

Again, the Lady Warriors suffered from their lack of composure in the homestretch despite pushing the Tigresses to the brink a number of times.

Shaya Adorador led UE with 12 points while Sarina Bulan added 11 for the Lady Warriors, who dropped a 28-51 edge to the Tigresses in attacks.

Back in the first round, the Lady Tamaraws waylaid the Lady Warriors, 25-14, 25-15, 25-11

The game will air live over ABS-CBN Sports+Action, BALLS SkyCable HD 167 and uaapsports.tv with a same day replay on BALLS SkyCable channel 34/ Destiny Cable channel 36 starting at 8 p.m.