FEU captures SSL bronze

Far Eastern University completed a sweep of Adamson with a masterful 25-18, 16-25, 25-15, 21-25, 15-7 win in Game 2 to bag the bronze medal in the Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

It was the same scenario — and the same results — for the Lady Tamaraws in earning another gutsy win in two hours and 16 minutes after running away with an identical five-setter victory in series opener.

FEU wasted a 2-0 set lead in Game 1 and this time around relinquished a 2-1 upperhand before flaunting steely resolve anew for a 2-0 series sweep in the battle for third place of the SSL Season 2.

Top rookie Faida Bakanke unleashed 16 points on 12 hits, two blocks and two aces to show the way for the Lady Tamaraws in their breakthrough SSL podium finish after a quarterfinal exit in the inaugural season.

Gerzel Petallo was also instrumental in finishing with 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks highlighted by multiple clutch hits in the clincher while Game 1 hero Chenie Tagaod was steady with 12 points.

"Another five sets but a win is a win," said FEU interim mentor Manolo Refugia.

The hard-charging Tamaraws and the high-flying Lady Falcons went toe-to-toe in another classic, back-and-forth duel after four sets but FEU displayed a steadier drive down the wire.

FEU, which was pushed to the limit after a 25-20, 25-19, 12-25, 14-25, 15-12 win in Game 1, unloaded a searing 8-1 rally in the decider to turn an early 1-4 deficit to a sudden 9-5 lead that pretty much served as the telling blow in the tightrope contest.

There was no looking back for the Lady Tamaraws from then on, capping off a 14-3 closeout.