MANILA – Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws cruised a winning start in the 2023 V-League Women’s Collegiate Conference after a 25-13, 25-18, 25-15 sweep of Mapua University Lady Cardinals on Wednesday night at Paco Arena in Manila.
Negrense Kiesha Bedonia spearheaded the offense with 16 points for the Lady Tamaraws, which tied University of the East Lady Warriors on top of the standings with 1-0 win-loss slate.
But it was Tin Ubaldo who is at the forefront of the Lady Tamaraws’ offense, scoring on a 1-2 play for a 23-15 lead in the third set before Mitzi Panangin scored from the middle to complete their one-sided win.
“Happy naman ako sa mga girls kasi nakita ‘yung past few months na tine-training namin although may mga small errors pa na kailangang trabahuhin,” said Lady Tamaraws interim coach Manolo Refugia.
Meanwhile, the new-look Lady Warriors marked its V-League return with a 25-16, 25-16, 25-20 straight set victory over the Enderun College Lady Titans. Risa Nogales was hailed as the Player of the Game.
Also making their presence felt for the Lady Warriors are their rookies from the California Academy squad namely Kizzie Madriaga, Jelaica Gajero, Casiey Dongallo and Grace Fernandez.
“It was a good win. Siyempre hinihintay rin natin makaharap ‘yung mga heavyweights, then tignan natin ‘yung assessment ng team after that,” said Lady Warriors head coach Jerry Yee.
In the men’s action, reigning UAAP men’s volleyball champions National University Bulldogs kicked off its V-League title-retention bid with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-19 sweep against FEU Tamaraws.
Errors by the Bulldogs allowed the Tamaraws to keep in step but NU middle blocker Obed Mukaba took the lead during the third set, contributing two aces in a 4-0 finishing run and even providing a dig for a Leo Aringo kill.
Earlier in the day, reigning NCAA champion University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas overcame the absence of its star spiker Louie Ramirez to secure a 29-27, 26-24, 25-19 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals./PN
