The University of the East Lady Warriors haven't been at their best as of late. They sure had their behinds whooped by Ateneo last Wednesday. Clearly, UE Coach Vangie De Jesus has a lot of work to do for her squad. The possibility finishing at the bottom of the standings could very well be a nightmare she never wanted to experience for this season.
While UE has been sluggish in the tournament, The University of the Philippines Fighting Lady Maroons knew they don't have a shot at the final four but that's not gonna stop them from closing their season on a high. Mela Lopez, whose playing in her final year with the Lady Maroons is pumped up in playing her last 3 games in a Maroons jersey. That game she played against UST at the time showed her absolute passion for the sport. Facing a team like UE is obviously no exception.
The first set had both teams battling it out hard. UE usually gets off to a good start but UP was just as determined in getting that W. It was a seesaw battle the whole set until both teams reached the 20 point mark. It may have been a close set but the Lady Maroons pulled away thereafter to take set number 1 from the Lady Warriors.
UE needed the second set to stop UP's run and get an equalizer. The Lady Maroons had a commanding lead until Ana Maria Del Mundo turned her ankle right in the middle of set 2. Denise Data checked in for the injured Del Mundo. UE was racking up a lot of unforced errors that had UP scoring easy points. The Lady Warriors' Kite Rosale tried to get their offense going but the Lady Maroons' defense was just superb -- so was Angeli Araneta's scoring run. UP has penciled a 2-0 lead over UE.
They 3rd set got even more intense as the Lady Warriors finally get their offense going. UP was now on the receiving end of the dreaded unforced errors. Although it got close, they got their revenge on the Lady Maroons to escape being swept in set number 3.
UP Coach Vip Isada had seen enough as the Lady Maroons obviously have no plans of extending the game to 5 sets. Jimberly Dizon joined Rosale in the scoring run for UE but UP's D picked up once again. Ana Del Mundo returned in the 4th for the Lady Maroons as they continued their dominance to finish off the Lady Warriors 3-1.
Lady Maroons' Angeli Araneta was named Shakey's Best Player of the Game racking up 25 points (20 attacks and 3 service aces). Team Captain Mela Lopez had 19 points (14 attacks) for the UP.
UP -- 3 UE -- 1
25-21, 25-14, 22-25, 25-18
Meanwhile the 5th seed finish in season 73 is up for grabs. Nevermind that the FEU Lady Tamaraws got swept in their last game but finishing the tournament at the 5th spot was simply hard to resist -- so do the NU Lady Bulldogs. National University Coach Francis Vicente had number 5 on his mind for a while. Whoever wins this game gets the advantage and the coveted 5th place in the tournament.
Set number one had FEU dominating NU. The Lady Bulldogs size didn't pose a problem for the rookie-filled Lady Tams. Veteran Maica Morada lead FEU's offense, surprising the Lady Bulldogs in the process. Stopping Lady Tamaraw number 9 was obviously NU's top priority and she wasn't the only they had to worry about though. Rookies Kathleen Magsumbol and Rosemarie Vargas of FEU were also doing some damage on NU's defense. The Lady Tams easily took the first set.
The Lady Bulldogs made little adjustments in the second set. Soon enough, a great volleyball was in the works. NU was biting back and was able to close in on FEU but their scoring was stopped once they got to 20 points. The Lady Tams wasted no time and sealed their 2-0 lead over the Lady Bulldogs.
It was a different story in the 3rd set as National University were determined to get that 5th spot. Both teams fought hard as if it was a Final Four game. The set was almost half an hour long and that was enough time for the Lady Bulldogs to take set number 3.
The 4th set came and NU was all fired up Ria Sante finally got her game back. It all seemed like an eternity for both teams to score a single point whether it's off an attack or a block and it literally became a game of endurance and stamina. It was a matter of how long they can keep playing in the court. There some signs of fatigue from both teams but adrenaline rush kept them going. Timeouts lasting only a few seconds was just enough time they could rest their legs. FEU had their chance of finishing off NU but the unforced errors started racking up when the game mattered most. The Lady Bulldogs took full advantage of it and forced an equalizer on FEU 2 sets apiece. The 5th and deciding set was in order.
Set number 5 was now battle of wits and determination. Up for grabs was a spot at 5th place and somethings gotta give -- literally. Winner take all. The race to 15 was all set. It's worth noting that NU is a dangerous team when the game reached a 5-setter. FEU is very much aware of what NU can do in crunch time. The Lady Bulldogs have realized that they are not the same FEU team they faced in the first round. It all came down the wire for both teams.
Again, it was a seesaw battle in the deciding set but as soon as FEU got the lead, they never looked back and the number 5 seed was on lock. A hard fought win for the Lady Tams 3-2 over the Lady Bulldogs. National University drops to 6th place in the standings.
Maica Morada of FEU won the Shakey's Best Player of the Game plum finishing with 25 points (23 attacks and 2 service aces).
FEU -- 3 NU -- 2
25-16, 25-20, 22-25, 23-25, 15-8
Men's Volleyball Results
1st Game:
Ateneo -- 3 NU -- 2
25-19, 24-26, 18-25, 25-19, 15-7
2nd Game:
AdU -- 3 UE -- 0
25-15, 25-10, 25-14
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