MANILA, Philippines – Veteran spiker Heather Guino-o put together her best game of UAAP Season 81 on Sunday afternoon, as she led Far Eastern University (FEU) past a gritty Adamson University squad in five sets at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The graduating hitter scored 20 points, a season-high, while contributing 10 receptions and 13 digs as the Lady Tamaraws labored to a 25-18, 17-25, 25-14, 22-25, 15-8 triumph over the Lady Falcons.

It was a promising performance for Guino-o, who has struggled with her consistency so far in her final playing year. With her and fellow veteran Jerrili Malabanan still trying to find their rhythm, the Lady Tams had come to rely on rookie Lycha Ebon and middle blocker Celine Domingo for points.

Against Adamson, however, Guino-o repeatedly came through with clutch hits, though she was quick to downplay her "triple-double" after the game.

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"Hindi naman na po naiisip 'yun 'pag nasa game eh," she said of her numbers.

"Kung ano 'yung mas makakaganda sa team, mas makakatulong sa bawa't isa, 'yun na lang po ang gagawin, 'yun na lang po ang nasa isip ko," Guino-o explained.

But for FEU coach George Pascua, it was a relief to see Guino-o step up – especially after Adamson dragged them to a deciding frame.

The Lady Falcons, despite their record, had proven to be tough opponents. Unfortunately for Adamson, they also committed plenty of errors in the final set that contributed to FEU's cause.

"Nakakatuwa, kasi the more na paganda yung laban, the more na nagko-contribute siya," Pascua said of Guino-o.

"Kumbaga, andoon na yung tulong ng veterans. May tulong naman sa previous games namin, pero ito mas nag-level up pa sila," he added.

What Pascua now needs if for Guino-o – and FEU's other seniors – to keep providing the same energy and production. Ebon, their rookie, has been their most consistent player, with an average of 17.2 points per game, but Pascua knows that his seniors have to show up if the Lady Tams want to make another run at the Finals.

"Kailangan ma-sustain namin 'yun," he stressed.

FEU (4-2) returns to action on Saturday, when they take on De La Salle University (4-2) in a rematch of last year's championship series.

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