MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATED) Showcasing their immense fighting spirit, Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles recovered from a two-set deficit to stun Far Eastern University (FEU) and claim their second consecutive win of the UAAP Season 81 women's volleyball tournament.

Kat Tolentino came up big as the Lady Eagles overcame their service reception problems for a tremendous 14-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-18, 15-12 victory on Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Lady Eagles improved to 2-1 in the season, moving to a tie with University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas for joint second. They also handed the Lady Tamaraws their second loss in a row as FEU dropped to 1-2.

"It's really the faith," said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro after the game. "I just asked them to keep the faith… Nagtiwala sila sa sarili nila, and the skills came out. Naka-receive kami, naka-serve kami, naka-atake kami."

"Unti-unti, lumabas ang resiliency ng mga bata. Nag-pay off naman ang faith nila sa isa't isa at faith kay Lord," he added.

Tolentino had 19 points on 17 kills and two blocks, while Maddie Madayag scored 14 points. Ponggay Gaston (9 points, 16 digs, 18 receptions) and Jules Samonte (7 points, 17 digs, 12 receptions) delivered on both ends of the floor.

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FEU pounced on Ateneo's erratic reception in the first and second sets, building up big leads that the Lady Eagles were unable to overcome. With their first ball not working, Ateneo was unable to maximize the strength and power of their frontline. Their towering spike in Tolentino was limited to just two points in the first two sets.

"We're down, and we didn't know what to do," Almadro admitted of their woes in the first two sets. "Our legs are not working, our minds are not working. Hindi namin alam kung ano nangyari sa amin noong first two sets."

"I just told them to keep the faith," he stressed.

Ateneo finally broke through in the third set, when their service reception clicked and allowed Tolentino to go to work. Samonte sparked a 3-0 burst that turned a tight 16-all count into a 19-16 advantage, and the Lady Eagles were able to nurse that lead all the way to the end. Bea de Leon brought them to set point with a quick kill, before Tolentino powered a spike off the FEU blockers to seal the deal. The Lady Eagles came up with 16 attack points in the third frame.

They cruised to a comfortable win in the fourth frame, where they gave up just one ace to FEU and tallied 14 kills. Again, it was Tolentino who led the way, though Samonte came up with the hit that sent the match to a decider.

In the back-and-forth fifth set, it was FEU's errors that spelled the difference. Neither team could gain separation, alternating points until the Lady Tams seized a 12-11 lead off a service error by Madayag.

But they then proceeded to commit a series of miscues: Celine Domingo's push of an over-received ball went wide, then she and setter Kyle Negrito miscommunicated on the next play. With Ateneo up 13-12, Negrito wildly miscalculated on a push, sending the ball way out to put Ateneo at match point.

Tolentino then came up with the finishing touches, firing another crosscourt attack for the win.

"Yung nakita niyo noong third and fourth and fifth (sets), kapag may nagkamali, may magi-step up," said Madayag. "May bubuhat sa 'yo pag nahulog ka."

Ateneo won despite giving up 12 aces to FEU, as they also got 38 free points off the Lady Tamaraws errors -- seven of which came in the final frame.

Veteran Heather Guino-o led FEU with 16 points, while Domingo and Jerrili Malabanan each scored 13 markers. Libero Buding Duremdes had 41 digs.

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