The last day of UAAP Volleyball's 1st round pit four teams looking to get a much needed win. FEU's hungry for their first win while UP tries to break their slump. Two undefeated teams with a similar win-loss record -- fighting for the top spot in the standings -- a rematch of last year's finals between the DLSU Lady Archers and defending champs the UST Tigresses.
Mecaila Morada, the lone veteran in FEU's rookie filled roster, clearly didn't give up on her team. Amidst all the frustration from the losses they've been enduring, the heart and soul of the Lady Tams only had one thing in mind -- WIN.
On Maroon land, the only time they've won a game was on Opening Weekend last November 2010 and haven been losing since. Mela Lopez, playing in her final year, share a common goal with her FEU counterparts. A win would certainly give them a boost of confidence and regroup for the 2nd round. A loss to FEU would have a team with the height advantage and experience like UP in question. A lot is at stake and Coach Vip Isada knows it.
The Lady Maroons were off to a good start in the 1st set but only for a brief moment. FEU took control of the set until UP crawled back from a huge deficit to win the set 1. It was the same in the second but the Lady Tams knot the game and won the set. FEU was on a roll and won the 3rd set to lead UP 2-1.
UP's experience came into play, came back to take set number 4 and force a deciding 5th set. Again, the Lady Maroons gets the upper hand early in the set but couldn't hold on to their momentum. In the end, FEU took advantage of UP's unforced errors and sealed the deal for their first ever W.
Mecaila Morada of FEU was the obvious choice for Player of the game with 23 points (20 attacks, 3 service aces). The Lady Tamaraws are now tied with the Lady Maroons with 1-6 record.
FEU -- 3 UP -- 2
23-25, 25-17, 25-20, 19-25, 15-8
The clash between DLSU and UST was the headliner on Wednesday. Both teams haven't lost a game but only 1 team goes home with a first L on their record. Despite being the defending champions, it hasn't been an easy season for UST. Their game against the NU Lady Bulldogs last Saturday had them dodging a bullet. They won't forget that day for sure. UST's ace player Aiza Maizo may been playing well this year but has been suffering back spasms as of late. She could be the deciding factor in this match against DLSU.
Back in Archer country, DLSU was looking to get some redemption from their loss against UST in the Finals. They got swept in the title match and clearly, they've been waiting, itching to play the Tigresses for the first time this season. Unlike UST, winning games was almost like a walk in the park for DLSU. They have swept most of their opponents, only Ateneo and FEU -- yes, the FEU Lady Tams -- were the only teams that have won a set on the Lady Archers. They cross paths to vie for the lone spot at the standings.
The defending champs drew first blood early in the first set and DLSU caught up them with quickly. Aiza Maizo of UST was simply a beast when she's in attack mode. A single blocker on her is not enough to keep her from scoring. Perhaps Cha Cruz didn't get the memo on Maizo before the game. There was no help on the block especially when Maizo attacks from her sweet spot. Despite that, DLSU still managed to control the game and took set 1. The first 27 minutes of the game obviously had the crowd going with it's back and forth action.
The second set saw the same kind of action from both teams but this time UST was committing a lot of unforced errors -- most of which from the Tigresses' serves. UST's Midori Hirotsuji was already feeling the jitters. Her serves just going well for her. You can't blame Coach Shaq Delos Santos for pulling Hirotsuji out of the game every time she commits service errors.
The Lady Archers spotted the Tigresses' weakness and simply took advantage of it. DLSU took set number 2.
It was now up to Aiza Maizo to carry the Tigresses and redeem themselves in the 3rd set. During the game however, her strong plays was taking a toll on her body -- most notably on her back. Maizo would have her back iced up whenever there's a time out. That obviously got Coach Shaq worried. The Lady Archers have a 7 point lead on them and he decided to completely take his best player out of the game. She finished with 16 points (15 attacks, 1 block) for UST.
The Lady Archers finally brought their brooms out.
DLSU was too much for UST to handle as they faltered in the 3rd final set. The Ladies in Green have swept the defending champions 3 sets to nil. Not exactly a lopsided win but it was a good game nonetheless. The Lady Archers' Stephanie Mercado was named Player of the Game scoring 12 points (10 attacks). DLSU remain unbeaten and on top of the standings.
The Tigresses have ended the first round of the tournament with a 6-1 record.
DLSU -- 3 UST -- 0
20-25, 19-25, 12-25
Men's Volleyball Results
1st Game:
DLSU -- 3 UE -- 0
25-17, 25-15, 25-14
2nd Game:
FEU -- 3 UST -- 2
21-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23, 13-15
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