Nearly there

FEU’s Celine Domingo, soaring for a kill in this file photo, fires 18 points in their win over Perpetual. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Adamson and Far Eastern University encountered rough roads en route to victories to both move one win shy of outright semifinal positions in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference on Sunday night.

FEU encountered its most difficult assignment so far, struggling past Perpetual, 25-15, 15-25, 22-25, 25-14, 15-6, at Filoil Flying V Centre.

Celine Domingo banged in 18 points, while Jeannette Villareal and Heather Guino-o chipped in 11 and 10 points each to help the Lady Tamaraws score their fourth win in five matches.

Later, Adamson blew two match points in the fourth before downing University of the Philippines, 25-22, 19-25, 25-23, 26-24, in the other women’s match.

The Lady Falcons stayed unbeaten after four games and move within a victory away from outright qualification to the next round while pushing the Lady Maroons to their second defeat in four games.

Adamson went 24-22 in the fourth but back-to-back attacking errors allowed UP to equalize and threaten to send the match to the distance.

Then again, the Lady Falcons came through with a combination play and a block on the ensuing play to secure the victory.

Despite the lowly standings of the Lady Altas, the Lady Tamaraws found a formidable opponent that tested their resolve to the limit.

With three players scoring in double figures and its defense holding up, Perpetual went up two sets to one to threaten the erstwhile league-leader and title contender.

Cindy Imbo fired 15 points, while Jenny Gaviola and Jowie Versoza made 13 and 10, respectively, to keep the Lady Tamaraws on their feet.

Perpetual even led in service aces, 11-8, while keeping the excellent dogs count close, 68-70.

But the Lady Altas fell in a spate of errors in the fourth frame—making a total of 33 against the Lady Tamaraws’ 26—to allow FEU to extend the match.