Lady Tamaraws gain Final Four

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Far Eastern University rammed its way into the Final Four, but it was University of the Philippines that created a stir Saturday night.

Playing with its life on the line, UP pulled off a stunning 28-26, 25-23, 26-24 upset of title-favorite Ateneo to keep its flickering semifinal hopes alive in the UAAP women’s volleyball at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Maroons outplayed the Lady Eagles in all departments to score their fifth win in 13 games in front of a big pro-Ateneo crowd.

UP can still force a playoff for the last Final Four berth with a win against University of the East and must hope that National University and Adamson drop their remaining outings.

“We needed this win to gain momentum for the next game,” said UP setter Rem Calling, who accounted for 21 excellent sets on top of three points.

Ateneo, which has nailed a Final Four slot, was out-attacked (38-30), out-blocked (11-8) and out-served (7-1 in aces) by UP.

Almost drowned by the big UP win were the Lady Tamaraws’ hard-earned 25-22, 25-27, 14-25, 25-22, 15-11 win over Adamson for the third Final Four berth.

Bernadeth Pons scored 22 points and Celine Domingo delivered 18 for FEU, which booked a fourth straight appearance in the semifinals.

The Lady Tamaraws are still on track for the twice-to-beat bonus, but that can only happen if they win their last two matches and the defending champion La Salle Lady Spikers and the Lady Eagles lose all of theirs.

For Pons, making it to the Final Four was enough for the meantime.

“We really tried to build our mental toughness,” said Pons, adding that the Lady Tamaraws specifically train for five-set scenarios.