FEU stuns La Salle, forces do-or-die for finals berth

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Far Eastern University shrugged off a terrible start and bombarded De La Salle University in the latter sets to come away with a 15-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-21, 16-14 in the semifinals of the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Jerrili Malabanan gave the Lady Tamaraws the first match point, 14-13, with an impressive hit that bounced off the Lady Spikers’ defense, but it was Cyd Demecillio’s back-to-back errors that sealed FEU’s win.

Lady Tamaraws head coach Shaq Delos Santos was relieved his team extended its season as a loss would’ve sent them packing.

It also helps that FEU has played in five games that went into five sets this season

“Napaghandaan namin atake nila, and siguro na pressure din kabila,” Delos Santos said. “Kasi kung pagod lang di agad napapagod La Salle.”

“Kahit nakuhanan kami ng dalawang set, honestly speaking, di kami nawalan ng pag asa. At siyempre di namin to kakayanin kung walang guidance ni Lord.”

Bernadeth Pons gave FEU the 13-11 lead in the fifth set with an off-the-block kill but Ara Galang and Mary Joy Baron immediately responded to tie it at 13-13 prompting Delos Santos to call a timeout.

Pons was also the high-point lady of the match finishing with 22 points while team captain Remy Palma and Toni Rose Basas pitching in 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Kim Dy led five Lady Spikers who finished in double-digits with 20 points.

Cyd Demecillo and Ara Galang had 14 points apiece while Baron and Mika Reyes added 13 and 10, respectively.