FEU, UP clash for PVL title

Far Eastern University went through the backdoor to make the finals against first-time contender University of the Philippines in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference at Filoil Flying V Centre on Sunday.

FEU bucked an opening set loss to frustrate UST, 19-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-17, and make the finals for the first time since 2014 when it won the title.

The Lady Tamaraws lost Game 1 of their best-of-three Final Four series.

Earlier, the Lady Maroons got into the championship for the first time, disposing of the top ranked Adamson Lady Falcons, 25-19, 29-27, 20-25, 25-20, also in Game 3.

UP won Game 1.

The Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Maroons begin their best-of-three finals duel next Sunday.

“We didn’t have enough time from Game 2 (on Saturday) so our coach said we just focus on recovery with our body and mental game,” said FEU’s Jerrili Malabanan who made 10 points.

UP banked on veterans Isa Molde, Marian Buitre and Ayel Estranero who proved too much for Adamson.

Molde unloaded 27 points while Buitre fired 19 off Estranero’s 35 excellent sets, their fearsome combination serving as a cornerstone for UP’s campaign all conference.

“It’s very special and I want to thank the players and the coaches for a great teamwork,” said UP coach Godfrey Okumu, who coached his country Kenya in the 2006 and 2010 world women’s championship.  “This is a sign of many more things to come.”