Tigresses win first game with 5-set thriller over FEU

MANILA, Philippines -- The University of Sto. Tomas Tigresses clinched their first victory of the UAAP Season 74 volleyball tournament, outlasting the erstwhile unbeaten Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in five hard-fought sets, 25-19, 21-25, 22-25, 25-16, and 15-13, Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan.

It was an exciting back-and-forth battle between two of the most successful women's volleyball programs in the UAAP. In paper, the Tigresses were the less fancied team as they had a 0-2 record.

The Tigresses made it to the finals of the volleyball tournament in Season 73, but lost their best scorer in Aiza Maizo and struggled at the start of their Season 74 campaign. Meanwhile, the Lady Tams were undefeated, having won both of their previous games in straight sets.

The game saw several long rallies, with both teams exchanging points throughout the sets. The Tigresses struck first, taking the opening set as the Lady Tams seemed to take time to get their offensive groove.

But FEU got right back at the Tigresses in the second set, taking advantage of UST's spotty floor defense to clinch the set.

The Tigresses were on their way to winning the third set as they posted a 7-point lead, 19-12, only to see the Lady Tams claw their way back into the set. FEU's Rosemarie Vargas led the way for her team, scoring the last two points to clinch the win.

Also vital to FEU's Set 3 win was libero Christine Agno, who saved several points for her team with excellent digs against the Tigresses' scorers.

The fourth set was a complete reversal as the Tigresses were in complete control. Maika Ortiz, Maru Banaticla and Judy Caballejo shared the scoring load as UST controlled the set from start to finish, despite the best efforts of FEU's Agno.

The last set was another tight, back-and-forth affair, with the Tigresses and Lady Tams exchanging points and neither team leading by more than 2 points.

The Lady Tams seemed to take control after posting a 13-11 lead, only to see the Tigresses unleash a 4-0 run that won them the game.

Banaticla was named player of the game after scoring 22 attack points.

The Lady Tams are now at 2-1, tied with idle Ateneo de Manila and Adamson in the league standings. Meanwhile, the Tigresses now have a 1-2 record, tied with National University and University of the East in the bottom half of the standings.

source by abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted in: ust, Volleyball