Shakey’s Super League: FEU, La Salle book semis berths

FEU Lady Tamaraws in the Shakey’s Super League.–SSL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University charged into the Final Four after booting out College of St. Benilde, 21-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-17, in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship quarterfinals Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The twice-to-beat Lady Tamaraws found resolve in the next three frames behind the stellar outings of veterans Chenie Tagaod, Alyzza Devosora, and Gerzel Petallo following a rusty start to remain unbeaten in seven games heading into the knockout semifinal. 

FEU took advantage of the Lady Blazers’ 30 errors to book a second straight semis appearance after a third-place finish last year in the centerpiece tournament.

READ: Shakey’s Super League: FEU, La Salle complete elimination round sweep

Devosora and Tagaod scored 15 points each with both main gunners smashing in 14 attacks apiece for the Lady Tamaraws, the runners-up in the 2024 National Invitationals. Petallo added 10 points while Clarisse Loresco had six markers.

Tagaod was instrumental in the third set, smashing timely hits to back Devosora and Loresco as FEU pulled away for good midway in the frame.

The wing spiker hammered the finishing blow to close the one-hour, 53-minute encounter and cap her best-scoring performance in the tournament.  

“I think makakatulong siya knowing na papasok na kami sa semifinals so kailangan talagang trabahuhin and mas maging consistent pa,” Tagaod said.

FEU braces for a tough match in the semis slated Wednesday where it will take on either three-peat-seeking National University or University of the Philippines.

The Lady Bulldogs and Fighting Maroons are still playing as of posting time.

“Kailangan naming gawin is magtrabaho pa rin and gawin ‘yung mga sinasabi ng mga coaches. Maging consistent pa and magtiwala lang sa mga kasama,” Tagaod added.

Saint Benilde absorbed its fourth straight defeat and was relegated to the classification round of the competition on Friday.  

Rhea Densing led the Lady Blazers with 14 points, all from attacks, while Clydel Catarig and Wielyn Estoque chipped in seven each.

La Salle Lady Spikers in the Shakey’s Super League.–SSL PHOTO

Meanwhile, La Salle hacked out a hard-earned 25-18, 25-20, 20-25, 20-25, 17-15, victory over rival Ateneo to clinch a semifinal ticket.

The Lady Spikers displayed nerves of steel in a nip-and-tuck fifth set, saving two match points before Amie Provido provided the game-clinching kill block following a costly Blue Eagles error to seal the win in the three-hour, two-minute thriller.

READ: FEU, La Salle stay unbeaten in Shakey’s Super League

Angel Canino fired 17 points with 15 coming from kills, Shevana Laput scored five of her 16 markers in the deciding frame while Provido finished with 13 points anchored on seven spikes, three aces, and three kill blocks for unbeaten La Salle, which avoided the use of its twice-to-beat advantage.

Katrina Del Castillo added 11 points highlighted by five kill blocks.  

The Lady Spikers will face the winner between University of Santo Tomas and University of the East, still playing as of posting time, in the knockout semis set Wednesday.

La Salle came back from a 5-7 deficit early in the fifth set and engaged Ateneo in a furious back-and-forth exchange. Winger Lyann De Guzman pushed the Blue Eagles at match point advantage, 14-13, but Sophia Buena overcooked her pressure-packed service for the first deuce.

De Guzman put Ateneo back on top before Jyne Soreno knotted it again at 15.