MANILA -- Far Eastern University put a stop to University of Santo Tomas' unbeaten run in the 2024 Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship, Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.       

The Lady Tamaraws got the better of their traditional rivals, 25-21, 25-23, 25-23, for a strong start in the second round.

They needed to overcome a furious rally by the Golden Tigresses in the third set, as the España spikers erased a nine-point deficit before FEU regained control.

Action between FEU and UST in the 2024 Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship, October 26, 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Handout/SSL"Sobrang saya po, kasi sa mga past games namin, hirap talaga kaming talunin sila. Finally, natalo namin sila in three sets," said Jean Asis, who played as an opposite hitter in the match instead of her usual spot in the middle.

"Ang sarap sa feeling na nagawa namin 'yung part namin na maglaro ng maayos at ma-defeat sila," added Asis, who had 12 points including the match-winning attack.

The well-rested Lady Tamaraws, coming off a two-week break, raced to a 13-4 advantage in the third frame and looked headed to a quick disposal of UST after a close first two sets.   

But Angge Poyos and Jonna Perdido willed the Tigresses back in a scorching 11-1 run to take the lead, 15-14. FEU got back on top, 21-18, only for UST to knot it at 21 after a Poyos hit.

The Lady Tamaraws answered with a 3-1 counterattack to reach match point. Regina Jurado saved a point for the Tigresses before Asis ended the one-hour, 45-minute encounter.  

Asis had eight kills and accounted for four of FEU’s 10 kill blocks while Jazlyn Ellarina finished with 12 points anchored on nine spikes, two kill blocks and an ace.

UST slid to a 1-1 slate in the round where two quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantages are at stake.

Poyos had 14 points while Perdido added 10 markers for the Tigresses, who saw their five-game win streak snapped.

The Lady Tamaraws return to action Sunday, taking on Ateneo de Manila University at 4 p.m. in another triple-bill playdate. UST battles University of the Philippines at 1 p.m. while three-peat-seeking National University aims to rebound from a four-set loss to De La Salle University last week in a faceoff with College of Saint Benilde at 7 p.m.  

Meanwhile, the league will donate a portion of the proceeds of ticket sales from October 26 to 30 to the victims of severe tropical storm Kristine.