Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Far Eastern University clinched its Final Four spot after surviving Adamson University in five sets, 25-22, 25-27, 14-25, 25-22, 15-11, in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Tamaraws’ second straight win pushed their record to 8-4 while the Lady Falcons dropped to 5-7 and stayed in fifth.
Adamson had momentary control of the fifth set after it took a 10-8 lead after an error in FEU’s part.
Backed to a tight spot, the Lady Tamaraws retaliated with five unanswered points with Heather Guino-o’s ace giving FEU a 13-10 lead.
After Fhen Emnas scored one for the Lady Falcons that cut the deficit to two, 13-11, Bernadeth Pons immediately landed the counter with a check ball for the 14-11 match point.
A team block on Jema Galanza then finished off the Lady Falcons.
Already with a reserved seat in the Final Four, FEU head coach George Pascua said they’re not stopping there as one of the top two seeds is what they aim for heading into the semifinals.
“The goal is to get one of the two spots because we’re really chasing that twice-to-beat advantage,” said Pascua. “I hope we can win our remaining games so we’ll just work harder because we already gave ourselves a chance to get either of the top two seeds.”
Bernadeth Pons put on a magnificent display to lead the Lady Tamaraws finishing with 20 points, 23 excellent digs, and 24 excellent receptions while Celine Domingo and Toni Rose Basas had 18 and 16 points, respectively.
Galanza had 16 points to lead the Lady Falcons while Mylene Paat added 15.