MANILA, Philippines—National University nailed its maiden appearance in the semifinals at the expense of a resurgent Far Eastern University even as Adamson belittled erstwhile unbeaten Ateneo in the Shakey’s V-League Sunday at a frenzied Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Bulldogs, only in their second season in the league, hacked out 25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 22-25, 15-13 decision to boot out the Lady Tamaraws and join University of St. La Salle-Bacolod in the last four.
Meanwhile, guest player Nerissa Bautista picked up where she left off as she scored 18 points to power the Lady Falcons over the Lady Eagles, 28-26, 25-10, 25-19.
The Lady Bulldogs pounded the nervy Lady Tamaraws in the decisive set, racking up three straight points on errors down the stretch including a match-clinching service fault from FEU’s Marjorie Roxas.
“I’m just happy we made it,” said NU head coach Francis Vicente.
NU drew solid showing from its recruit Dindin Santiago who underscored the triumph with 18 points while crisp- hitting guest player Cherry Mae Vivas, originally hailing from FEU, drilled in 15.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair in the opening set, with both Adamson and Ateneo in a give-and-take battle that had the semblance of a classic turnout.
But the Lady Falcons gained steam and surprisingly left the Lady Eagles in the rear in the ensuing set.
Attacking with unpredictability and reckless abandon, Adamson had Ateneo uncharacteristically scrambling mostly on the receiving end.
“We are just going to fight, we played with a sense of urgency and it showed,” said Adamson coach Dulce Pante.
FEU, reeling to another wrenching exit, actually rallied from two sets down to forge a decider and even a 9-6 lead in that set only to falter in the endgame.
With the win, Adamson forged a knockout match with Lyceum on Tuesday for the last semis ticket in Group 1.
Bautista missed two games due to a beach volleyball commitment.
Thai import Kesinee Lithawat led all scorers with 19 markers but was left carrying all the load for Ateneo, which lost its first game in six stints.