Jaz Ellarina spearheaded the Lady Tamaraws’ comeback, helping them overcome the gutsy Lady Chiefs for a 3-1 win-loss record and a share of second place with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. The opposite hitter-turned-middle blocker finished with 20 points across four sets, fueled by 16 attacks, three blocks, and one service ace.
FEU and Benilde are set to face off on Sunday at noon at the same Paco venue to break the tie.
With the Lady Chiefs applying pressure in the fourth and fifth sets, setter Tin Ubaldo relied on Ellarina and Gerzel Petallo down the stretch to quell the fightback and secure FEU’s comeback in two hours and 12 minutes.
"Bago mag-third set, parang tinanong ng coaches na 'Gusto niyo bang manalo?' Doon lang kami nagising na, oo nga no, bakit ganito 'yung laro natin; hindi naman tayo ganito. So parang do'n kami mas lalong nagising para ilabas 'yung laro talaga namin," Ellarina said.
Arellano made the most of their rest since the season opener, surprising FEU with a game plan that perfectly suited their offensive strategies. The Lady Chiefs capitalized on timing the Lady Tamaraws’ blocks and converting those opportunities into points.
FEU, led by middle blockers Ellarina and Mitzi Panangin, eventually adjusted their blocking formation. The tweaks improved both their floor defense and offense, enabling them to sweep the next three sets.
Panangin contributed 17 points, while Lovely Lopez added 10, with the duo combining for eight of FEU’s 13 blocks compared to Arellano’s four. Grazel Petallo also scored 11 points, including four of the team’s service aces.
For Arellano, Laica Tudlasan exploded for 22 points—all from attacks—but the Lady Chiefs slipped to an even 1-1 record.
Arellano will aim to rebound against Benilde on Saturday, August 30, at 3 p.m.
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