FAR EASTERN University spoiled what had looked like an easy La Salle romp back to the Finals.
Incredibly resolute, the Lady Tamaraws came back from two sets down against the powerhouse Lady Spikers, 15-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-21,16-14, to forge a winner-take-all duel in the UAAP women’s volleyball semifinals yesterday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“I’m just so happy because the players showed they really want to win,” said coach Shaq delos Santos after his Lady Tamaraws shocked the No. 2 seed.
Bernadeth Pons, who topscored with 22 points, teamed up with Remy Palma and Toni Rose Basas to spark a third-set comeback where the Lady Tamaraws rallied from a five-point deficit, 12-17.
And the FEU trio showed even more grit in the pulsating fifth set where the Lady Tamaraws reached match point first at 14-13 before taking the game on back-to-back La Salle errors.
Adamson also forged a rubber match for the last title berth in the men’s division after the Falcons stunned No. 2 National University with a 23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-22 decision.
“We didn’t expect it,” said coach Domingo Custodio after his Falcons downed the Bulldogs for the first time in four years.
Dave Pletado unloaded 16 points built on 12 kills and four blocks as the Falcons rallied from a set down starting with a dominant second set where they zoomed to a 14-5 advantage.
The do-or-die matches are set this Wednesday also at MoA Arena, with the winners going up against defending champion Ateneo in both divisions.