Clinching a Final Four berth seemed like a long shot just a few weeks ago. But the resilient Lady Tamaraws pulled off the feat while slamming the door on early favorite University of the Philippines.
“The players really wanted this game,” said coach Shaq Delos Santos after his Lady Tamaraws eliminated the Lady Maroons, 25-16, 25-16, 27-25, in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre.
“We saw all the hard work, the sacrifices, and all of it paid off and that’s why I’m so happy with them. I’m incredibly thankful.”
Riding a three-game win streak, the Lady Tamaraws ended their eliminations campaign with an 8-6 slate while the Lady Maroons, who went on a 4-0 start, crashed out of the race and settled for a 6-8 card.
FEU secured a seat along with early semifinalists Ateneo and La Salle, both tied on top at 11-2, regardless of the match result between the University of Santo Tomas and National University on Saturday.
In the event the Tigresses win, the Lady Tamaraws will settle for the fourth spot. But if the Lady Bulldogs win, FEU will earn the third seed due to a superior quotient.
UP tried to mount a comeback in the third set as the Lady Maroons tied the score at 24 after trailing 24-21.
The game was once again tied at 25 after FEU was called for a net touch, but Nicole Tiamzon’s final attempt went straight to the net, giving the Lady Tamaraws a 26-25 edge.
Toni Rose Basas and Bernadeth Pons led all FEU scorers with 12 points apiece while Heather Guino-o and skipper Remy Palma had 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Diana Carlos led UP with 13 points while Isa Molde and Tiamzon had eight apiece.
Adamson University bagged its first win as it tripped University of the East, 25-15, 25-19, 25-15, in the first game.
The Lady Falcons finished the season with a 1-13 record, the same as the Lady Warriors, who won in their first round meeting.
Adamson’s victory gave coach Airess Padda her first win in the UAAP after taking over the team almost a year ago.
“We told the girls ‘what sounds better, 0-14 or 1-13?’ I know it might not sound much but the one is equivalent to like 10 for us,” said Padda. “We just wanted it so badly for them. It wasn’t about proving to anyone else that we were good enough.”