The UP Women’s Volleyball Team’s (WVT) Final Four chances in UAAP Season 87 have dimmed after suffering a gritty four-set loss against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, 21-25, 16-25, 25-14, 24-26, yesterday, April 6, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
State U struggled against their Morayta counterparts across most scoring departments, managing only 47 spikes against FEU’s 56 and weighed down by 20 errors that tipped the match out of their favor.
After dropping the first two sets, the Fighting Maroons proved their resilience early in the third frame as Kassy Doering unleashed a 4-0 run to awaken the Diliman-based squad’s offense.
Rookie Kianne Olango continued the offensive surge afterwards with a scoring spree to seal the deal, 25-14.
Down early at the fourth salvo, 3-11, State U’s tenacity continued to show as they spark a 12-3 run to steal the lead at 15-14.
However, FEU’s Faida Bakanke and Chen Tagaod commanded their team’s composure, charging an 8-2 run to reach match point, 22-24.
Irah Jaboneta and Doering retaliated in response as they saved two match points from back-to-back rallies to force a set extension.
However, Olango’s crucial misstep in the final play laid the groundwork for Tin Ubaldo’s single block on Joan Monares, sealing the victory in favor of the Green and Yellow.
Four Maroons breached the double-digit scoring tally, with Olango, Jaboneta and Monares leading the Diliman-based team’s efforts with 13 points apiece while Niña Ytang followed suit at 11 markers.
Meanwhile, Bakanke emerged with 20 points from 17 attacks and three blocks, accompanied by seven digs, followed by Chen Tagaod with 14 markers and 18 receptions.
The Diliman-based squad remains at fifth place in the standings with a 5-6 record, with the Lady Tamaraws bearing a two-way tie with UST Golden Tigresses at the third and fourth seeds with identical 7-4 slates.
The UP WVT now prepares to find their way back to the winning column fast as they face the second-seeded De La Salle University Lady Spikers on April 13 at the same venue.
