University of the East did not back down without a fight and took home its lone win of the season after turning back the already ran Far Eastern University, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-21, in the UAAP Season 84 women's volleyball tournament Thursday, June 9 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Lady Warriors finally barged into the win column and ended their campaign on a high note with a 1-13 record, snapping their 17-game skid dating back 2019. The last time that UE won was in Season 81 with a three-set victory against Adamson.
Ja Lana and Dara Nieva fired 21 points apiece to lift the Lady Warriors as the former all scored from attacks while the latter had 20 markers off spikes.
"Masaya na may kaunting panghihinayang," said UE head coach Ronwald Dimaculangan. "But very happy kasi at least we ended the season on a high note. At least nakuya talaga 'yong elusive win.
"Medyo nanghihinayang because there are games na could've gone our way. Kaya lang, along the way may mga nangyari, challenges. Nanghihinayang kasi parang it might be too late na, na-realize na puwede naman palang sumabay 'yong players kahit mga bago," added the first year tactician.
Lana provided the spark midway through the fourth and last set as she scored three consecutive points in the Lady Warriors' 7-2 run en route to a 22-17 lead.
After a quick exchange, a Nieva conversion put UE at match point but Chen Tagaod and Shiela Kiseo connived to pump life for FEU, 24-21.
Lana, however, put the finishing touches for the Lady Warriors as they averted a winless campaign at eighth place. UE's win also ended its 19-match losing streak against FEU.
Chen Tagaod paced the Lady Tamaraws, who also finished with a 1-13 slate at seventh place, with 23 points built on 22 attacks while Jovelyn Fernandez and Kiseo added 13 and 10 markers, respectively.
In the second game, Adamson held off De La Salle, 25-23, 17-25, 25-16, 26-24, to secure at least a playoff berth and keep its Final Four hopes alive.
A possible playoff contention would be in play depending on the outcome of the showdown between Ateneo (7-6) and University of the Philippines (5-8) later.
The playoff for No. 4 would materialize should the Blue Eagles win against the Lady Maroons.
Trisha Genesis led all scorers with 20 points off 19 attacks while Lucille Almonte and Aliah Marce had 14 and 12 markers each for the Lady Falcons, who improved to an 8-6 record.
Tied at 24-all in the fourth set, Genesis showed steely nerves and soared for a through-the-block hit before an attack error by Jolina De La Cruz easily handed the win to Adamson.
Thea Gagate, Alleiah Malaluan, and Dela Cruz all scored 12 points apiece for the Lady Spikers. Despite the loss, De La Salle maintained its momentary No. 2 spot with a 10-4 slate.
Meanwhile, third-seeded University of Santo Tomas (9-4), which has a chance of equalizing with De La Salle, and top-ranked squad National University (13-0) will also battle later.