MANILA, Philippines – The Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws leaned on a superb performance from Bernadeth Pons and overcame a second set meltdown to defeat University of the Philippines (UP) in four sets on Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

With Pons dominating on both ends, the Lady Tamaraws came away with a 25-17, 24-26, 25-23, 25-19 victory to notch their third straight win in the UAAP Season 79 women's volleyball tournament.

The Lady Tams improved to 4-2, while handing UP its second straight loss. The two squads are currently tied for third place behind joint leaders Ateneo de Manila University and defending champion De La Salle University, who have 5-1 slates.

"Sobrang saya sa pakiramdam namin, kasi nakikita namin na 'yung pag-push namin sa mga players, lumalabas na rin sa game," FEU Coach Shaq delos Santos said after the contest. "Siyempre, kailangan namin ipagpatuloy."

Pons finished with 24 points on 22 attacks and two blocks, while also showcasing her impressive floor defense with 23 digs and 14 excellent receptions. Skipper Remy Palma and Chin Basas each added 11 points, as the Lady Tams outplayed the Lady Maroons in nearly all skills en route to the win.

• READ: Bulldogs bite fourth straight win

After claiming a straightforward victory in the opener, the Lady Tamaraws looked to be on their way to a 2-0 set lead after surging to a 23-20 advantage in the second set off a mishit by UP veterans Nicole Tiamzon.

To make matters worse for the Lady Maroons, Tiamzon got injured on the play, landing awkwardly and turning her right ankle. The former UP captain had to be helped off the court and was eventually stretchered to their dugout, She returned to the reserve box in the third set but was not fielded back in.

Tiamzon's injury seemed to spur the Lady Maroons into action. They had played in erratic fashion for most of the match, with their spikers sending attacks either long or wide, while having trouble reading the combination plays that FEU ran for Pons.

But reserve Caryl Sandoval came up huge for UP in the second set, scoring twice in a 6-1 run, including a kill that tied the set at 24. Skipper Ayel Estrañero and Tots Carlos then conspired for the last two kills of the second frame, allowing UP to tie the match at one set apiece.

"Noong 'yung isang player nila ay ipinasok, nag-adjust kami, at siguro na out of timing ang blocks namin," said Delos Santos, referring to Sandoval. "Ang pattern ng defense, nawala."

The rejuvenated Lady Maroons rode the momentum of their victory in the second set to take a 14-9 lead in the third, with Sandoval and Aiesha Gannaban – sent in for the ineffective Kathy Bersola – giving UP a boost from the bench.

The Lady Tamaraws rallied back behind Kyle Negrito, who anchored a 6-0 spurt to put FEU on top, 15-14. Back-to-back errors by the Lady Tams pushed UP ahead again, 16-15, but it was a back-and-forth set from that point on.

UP tied the third set for the last time at 22, after Pons committed a service error. They were unable to take advantage of the miscue, however, as Marian Buitre also sent her serve short to start the next rally. FEU took two of the last three points, capped by a vicious down-the-line kill from Palma, to go up 2-1.

The Lady Tamaraws then cruised to victory in the fourth set, leading by as much as nine points, 23-14.

"Siyempre, gusto pa namin mag-improve," said FEU coach Shaq delos Santos. "May mga lapses pa kami, lalo na sa service namin."

Carlos had 17 points, and Isa Molde added 11 markers for the Lady Maroons. Tiamzon mustered only four points in an error-prone performance before getting injured. Bersola only had one marker in two sets before she was replaced by Gannaban.

FEU's Kyle Negrito and Gel Cayuna combined for 54 excellent sets, while UP's Estranero had 61 excellent sets.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)