The Varsitarian

Jan 22, 9:45 p.m. - THE LADY Spikers suffered a stinging defeat in the hands of Far Eastern University at the Arena San Juan earlier today, slipping to the fifth spot in the UAAP volleyball tournament.

Maru Banaticla fired 20 points on a losing effort, while Maika Ortiz and Judy Caballejo added 15 and 12 markers, respectively. Rosemarie Vargas led FEU with 27 points, the second-highest score recorded this season.

Following the upset -- 25-20, 20-25, 23-25, and 23-25 -- UST slid to the fifth spot with a 5-4 win-loss card. “Super walang performance ang team. Hindi maganda ang laro ni Maru tapos si Gi Reyes hindi pa 100 percent ang performance dahil sa injury. Halos wala ring blocking ang team. Pati ‘yung service, naging erratic uli,” coach Odjie Mamon said.

Tied at one set apiece, the Lady Spikers squandered their five-point lead in the third frame as Vargas' and Rose Baniel's spikes ignited a 7-0 counter-salvo to push FEU ahead, 23-25.

Trailing at 2-1 into the fourth frame, Banaticla nailed a cross-court hit down the Lady Tamaraws’ floor defense, 23-24.

Wenneth Eulalio, however, answered with a running spike to give FEU the match point, 25-23. Chenny V. Ramos