MANILA, Philippines—LYCEUM MADE quick work of National University to claim a semifinal slot, even as Far Eastern U rolled past Ateneo in four sets yesterday to force a knockout match for the last Final Four berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 Second Conference at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
The Lady Pirates leaned on another brilliant performance by Mary Jean Balse to repulse the Lady Bulldogs, 25-13, 26-24, 25-23, and set up a best-of-three semifinal meeting with Adamson.
Rachel Anne Daquis, a member of the FEU squad that won the UAAP crown in 2007, fired 23 points as the Lady Tamaraws recovered from a lethargic third set and prevailed, 25-21, 27-25, 11-25, 25-18.
With the victory, the Lady Tamaraws finished the quarterfinals tied with their victims at fourth with a 6-6 card.
The Ateneo-FEU do-or-die duel is set at 4 p.m. Sunday with the winner clashing with top seed San Sebastian-Excelroof in a best-of-three duel starting Thursday.
Daquis, who has received offers to play for GFL Hannover and SC Langenhagen in the German Pro Volleyball League, delivered the game-winning kill after back-to-back hits from teammate Monique Tiangco put the Lady Tamaraws at match point.
Two-time league MVP Balse helped the Lady Pirates rise from a 22-24 deficit in the second set, which the Lady Pirates took in 27 minutes.
Balse pumped in 21 points, while Dahlia Cruz and Joy Cases contributed 14 and 12, respectively, for the Lady Pirates.
The Lady Bulldogs capped their first V-League tournament with a 2-10 record, although their victory over the Perpetual Help Lady Altas in a knockout match for the last quarterfinal berth was not counted in their tally.
After yielding the third set, the Lady Tamaraws returned to court with spring in their steps, zooming to an 8-4 lead on Cherry Ann Vivas’ hit to the backline.
FEU coach Nes Pamilar rued his squad’s inability to finish off Ateneo in the third set.
“Again, we had problems in the third set because we relaxed,” said Pamilar.
Vivas finished with 16 point while Michelle Carolino added 11 for the Lady Tamaraws, who won two of their five games in the quarterfinals.
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