Far Eastern U shocks UST to seal Final Four cast

FEU Lady Tamaraws celebrate win over UST Tigresses in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Adamson entered Saturday’s playdate knowing its University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four hopes were practically extinguished.

Yet the Lady Falcons fought hard to squeeze out a five-set win in the name of respect.

Imagine how much more motivated was Far Eastern University was.

With a semifinal berth theirs for the taking, the Lady Tamaraws hammered out a huge upset and toppled University of Santo Tomas (UST), 19-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 15-10, at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

“It’s a great feeling because we’ve been trying to bring back Far Eastern University (FEU) glory days and here we are in the Final Four,” said first-year coach Manolo Refugia after steering the Lady Tamaraws back to the Final Four for the first time after three seasons.

“But the work isn’t done yet. Since we’re here anyway, we might as well dream bigger,” he added.

Respectable finish

The Lady Falcons, meanwhile, are dreaming only of a respectable finish right now.

“We don’t stand a chance in advancing to the Final Four anymore,’’ May Nuigque said after the Lady Falcons survived University of the Philippines, 25-17, 23-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-13, in the earlier game.

“We’ll just give our best in these remaining games for a decent exit,’’ said Nuique, the middle blocker who delivered 15 points built on 11 attacks plus an ace.

That road to the exit won’t be easy though. They Lady Falcons will battle defending champion La Salle and title contender National University before they take on Ateneo to wrap up their season.
“We’ve got nothing to lose moving forward. All we have to do now is push ourselves,’’ said Nuique.

Karen Verdeflor cried tears of joy after Jen Villegas blocked UP’s final counterattack at match point that preserved her gallant defensive stance of 25 excellent digs and 15 receptions.

“We hadn’t won for a long time and this victory just made me emotional,’’ said Verdeflor after the Lady Falcons snapped a six-game skid that pushed them out of the semifinal race.

“I want to see them perform their best in these games. It’s no joke competing with these teams. Our goal is to strengthen our character and composure before the season ends,’’ said Adamson coach JP Yude.

For FEU, the journey continues.

Credit largely falls on Jean Asis, who stepped up after the Lady Tamaraws fell behind by a point midway through the deciding set.

Asis finished with 16 points on 13 attacks and delivered a decisive performance to make sure UST would pay for its crippling 36 errors.

“It was a big win because we really wanted to get back [at UST,” said Asis, referencing FEU’s loss to the Tigresses in the first round, where the Lady Tamaraws took a 2-0 set lead only to falter.