Sports

Ateneo ousts Lady Tams; FEU waves final four hopes goodbye

January 24, 2010

    • By Lora Gene D. Tumulak

    A series of misfortunes and lack of manpower has delayed the coming of the Lady Tamaraws’ 30th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Volleyball title.

    After three straight finals appearances, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws withdraws from the glory days and settled for a loss against Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles, 25-19, 25-22, 20-25, 18-25 and 12-15, last January 31 at the FilOil Flying-V Arena in San Juan City.

    The final set was a see-saw battle between two eager teams. ADMU fired up with an early two-point lead but FEU’s Monique Tiangco and Wenneth Eulalio erased it. The set went deadlocked all the way as both teams refused to let their opponent grab a huge margin.

    FEU’s bread and butter Cherry May Vivas tried to set for a runaway but every time she hits a point, Ateneo’s Angeline Gervacio answered with her own spike.

    Tied at 12, Gervacio attacked FEU’s bonfire defense to take the lead. Misfortunes then followed the Lady Tams as back-to-back errors rewarded ADMU the win, 15-12.

    According to FEU Coach Nestor Pamilar, the team relaxed during the third set and they lacked on go-to persons inside the court. The coach noted that Gonzalez was still not at her 100 percent.

    Gonzalez suffered with a hairline crack on her right leg which had her resting for more than three weeks. She still needs ample time to get back on her A-game.

    Bea Pascual led the Lady Eagles in taking the fourth set, 25-18. Ateneo outsmarted FEU’s defense through soft tips and drops behind the block.

    ADMU held to a five-point lead as they posted a triple block defense on FEU’s attackers. FEU’s Eulalio persisted on net defense jousting for every chance point while libero Rose Ann Taganas bossed the floor defense with 21 excellent digs as compared to ADMU libero Stephanie Gabriel’s 13.

    The third set featured Ateneo’s comeback after being down by two sets, 25-20. The Katipunan-based spikers declared an early three-point lead with the efforts of Fille Cainglet and Gretchen Ho.

    FEU stayed close but their intensity level on defense somewhat declined. Ateneo pounded on the Lady Tams’ scrambled defense.

    “[Kulang] sa communication saka masyadong nag-relax (We lacked in communication and we relaxed during the game),” Vivas said.

    The first and second set reminded FEU of their brilliant days—balanced offense and defense plus teamwork and determination during the first and second set, 25-19 and 25-22, FEU targeted the hole in the middle of Ateneo’s court.

    Team skipper Ma. Carmina Acevedo and Gervacio of ADMU capitalized on down-the-line hits but Vivas and Shaira Gonzalez focused on quick attacks right through Ateneo’s defense.

    UAAP’s leading scorer Vivas pocketed a total of 21 points in the game acquired from 18 kills and three blocks. Gervacio topped for the Lady Eagles with 23 points from 21 kills, one block and one service ace.

    Future upshot
     In the history of final four format since 1993, FEU has never gone out of the picture. And with the turn of events of this season’s Women’s volleyball tourney, the Lady Tams is yet to record a first time.

    “Masakit sa ’kin kasi lahat ginawa ko. Nagpalakas ako ng ganito para makatulong sa team tapos gusto naming makapasok sa final four (It hurts on my part because I did my best. I improved my skills to contribute because we want to be in the final four),” Vivas said regarding their final four drop out.

    The exit of prolific scorer Mecaila Morada and former captain Rachel Ann Daquis had been a big factor for the Lady Tams’ stooped performance this season. Gonzalez’s injury also hindered her to put 100 percent effort and contribute.

    Gonzalez will be taking a break for the next games because Pamilar wants her to fully recover from the injury.

    “Before the game, medyo kumikirot siya [injury]. Pero go pa rin, kasi kailangan ako sa game (The injury hurts a little but I still go for it because I’m needed in the game),” Gonzalez said.

    In replacement for Gonzalez’s spot, Pamilar will be chipping in rookies for them to be honed and prepared.
    “Ang sinabi ko na lang sa kanila, siguro, hindi lang para sa atin (I told them that maybe the game was not meant for us),” Pamilar stated regarding FEU’s exodus from the final four.

    With the loss, FEU sits with a 5-6 won-loss slate and suffers foggy chances for a slot in the Final Four.