FEU, Ateneo gain finals

Toni Rose Basas of Far Eastern U sends the ball past Bernadette Flora during their semifinal duel on Monday. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Far Eastern University overcame a gritty Adamson side, 21-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-18, to barge into the finals of the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference on Monday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Lady Tamaraws will take on Jaja Santiago and the National U Lady Bulldogs in the best-of-three finals starting Wednesday.

Bernadeth Pons, back after a UAAP beach volleyball stint, fired 15 points—including 12 kills—to lead the Lady Tamaraws’ 2-1 semifinal conquest of the Lady Falcons.

Adamson labored though five sets to take the Final Four opener, 21-25, 25-22, 20-25, 15-8, but FEU equalized with a 21-25, 27-25, 25-20,

23-25, 15-11 Game 2 triumph.

In the men’s division, Marck Espejo returned to action to power Ateneo past University of Santo Tomas, 22-25, 25-22, 31-29, 25-13, and seal a title clash with FEU.

It will be the third straight championship stint in this conference for the back-to-back defending champion Eagles.

Espejo, who rammed in 23 hits, missed Game 2 on Saturday when the Tigers won,

25-22, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, as he likewise suited up in the UAAP beach volleyball tournament.

The Eagles struggled in the early going, yielding the opening frame before imposing their power in the next three.

“First of all, I thank the Lord for the strength, power and the guidance,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro. “Marck and Karl played beach volleyball but still they managed to show their leadership.”