Lady Tams, Lady Eagles dispute last Shakey’s V-League semis berth

MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern U and Ateneo clash Saturday in a playoff for the last semifinal spot in the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 Second Conference at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.   The Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Eagles take the floor at 4 p.m. with FEU coach Nes Pamilar condident that his team holds the edge owing to its victory over Ateneo last Thursday that forced the knockout match.   “We know it’s going to be different on Sunday but I think we have an advantage,” said Pamilar after the Lady Tamaraws walloped the Lady Eagles, 25-21, 27-25, 11-25, 25-18.   “Winning one set, however, could also give Ateneo confidence that they can beat us,” the former national women’s coach added.   Both Ateneo and FEU finished the elimination round with similar 6-6 records.   The winner of today’s knockout match will face San Sebastian in a best-of-three semifinal series starting Thursday.   Adamson, the second seed with a 10-2 record, and Lyceum, which finished the quarterfinal with a 7-5 slate, figure in the other semifinal showdown.   Pamilar noted that when FEU lost to Ateneo in the elimination round, the Lady Tamaraws were only playing with one guest player in Rachel Anne Daquis.   Former national team standout Michelle Carolino has since bolstered the Tamaraws roster and Pamilar believes her presence has given his team more confidence.   Daquis, who has received offers to play for GFL Hannover and SC Langenhagen in the German Pro Volleyball League, is coming off a 23-point performance against the Lady Eagles.   Cherry Vivas also delivered against Ateneo, finishing with 16 points.   But Ateneo, which won just one of its five games in the quarterfinal round, has more than enough firepower to stop the Lady Tamaraws.