PVL: FEU survives UP in 5-set thriller to book semis slot

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Far Eastern University secured its spot in the semifinals after outlasting University of the Philippines in an excruciating five-setter, 15-25, 25-23, 15-25, 25-23, 15-7, in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference Saturday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

The Lady Tamaraws climbed to 5-1 and became the third team to qualify in the quarterfinals after University of Santo Tomas (5-1) and Adamson University (5-0).

FEU head coach George Pascua said that his players should not waver mentally despite reaching the semifinals and instead continue on with what they’re doing.

“I always tell them that their mindset should always treat every game as a championship game,” said Pascua in Filipino. “They shouldn’t think about the opponents, the important thing is they should always execute the game plan.”

Pascua’s words seemed to have worked with his team as the Lady Tamaraws as they built a 9-3 lead at the start of the fifth set courtesy of Jerrili Malabanan’s quick kill and block.

UP managed to cut the lead to four, 11-7, but that was its last hoorah as the Lady Maroons awarded FEU three of its last four points due to errors.

Heather Guino-o led FEU with 13 points while Jeanette Villareal added 10.

Isa Molde had a game-high 20 points for UP while Marist Layug and Roselyn Rosier had 16 and 12 points, respectively.