After a sluggish third frame, the Lady Tamaraws leaned on the lessons learned from last week’s narrow five-set loss to Adamson University, finding the right blend of firepower from Faida Bakanke, Tin Ubaldo, Jaz Ellarina, and Gerz Petallo to avoid another extended battle and secure a bounce-back victory in the eight-team tournament organized by Sports Vision.
Bakanke led the charge with 18 points built on 15 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, steering FEU to a 2-1 win-loss card and tightening their hold on third place.
“Sa skills kasi, lahat naman talented. Ang sinabi ko kanina sa huddle is this game is more on their attitude. Kung paano nila gusto gawin yung gusto nila mangyari sa game. Most likely ang sa akin lang is for them to focus more on the mental [aspect],” said Lady Tamaraws head coach Tina Salak.
Letran looked ready to carry its third-set momentum after building an 8-4 lead to start the fourth. But the trio of Alas Pilipinas Women opposite hitter Cla Loresco, Bakanke, and Ellarina engineered a pivotal 12-5 rally that flipped the score to 16-13 in favor of FEU.
That cushion proved enough as Petallo delivered an ace, Bakanke followed up with an offspeed hit and a block, and a Gia Maquilang attack error sealed the Lady Tamaraws’ hard-fought triumph in one hour and 51 minutes.
In the third set, FEU fell behind by as many as six points, 9-15, and never recovered as costly errors from youngsters Kyle Pendon and Ia David in the clutch denied them a straight-sets win.
Ellarina contributed 12 points on eight attacks and four blocks, while Loresco chipped in nine points in her V-League return for FEU after her stint with the Nationals in the recently concluded 5th Southeast Asia V.League.
Petallo added eight points and nine excellent digs, while Alyssa Devosora and Pendon scored five apiece. Ubaldo, meanwhile, steered the offense with 14 excellent sets.
On the other hand, Letran remained winless through two matches.
Judiel Nitura carried the fight for the Lady Knights with 20 points on 16 attacks, two aces, and two blocks, while Maquilang added 14 points on 11 attacks along with 13 excellent receptions.
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