Upset-seeking FEU hopes to barge into UAAP finals
FASHIONING OUT an improbable comeback from two sets down last Sunday to negate a twice-towin disadvantage in the UAAP women’s volleyball Final Four, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws try to take it to another level and complete an upset of the higher-seeded De La Salle University Lady Spikers in their do-ordie today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
To take place at 3:30 p.m., the Morayta-based Lady Tamaraws are eyeing one of the biggest shockers if ever in Season 78 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines by eliminating the highly favored Lady Spikers, who were seeded number two entering the semifinals.
Seemingly on the verge of elimination after falling behind by two sets in the first game, FEU dug deep to rally back and survived in five, 15-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-21 and 16-14.
Bernadeth Pons led the way for FEU, scoring 22 points, with captain Remy Palma and Tony Rose Basas adding 18 and 17 points, respectively.
Veteran setter Gyzelle Sy was also in her element dishing out 53 excellent sets to boost their season-salvaging job.
FEU frustrated La Salle in its bid to take an outright spot in the finals, along with early qualifiers and defending champions Ateneo University Lady Eagles, who beat the University of the Philippines Lady Fighting Maroons in their own semifinal engagement.
Kim Dy top-scored for La Salle with 20 points in their loss while veterans Ara Galang and Cyd Demecillo had 14 apiece.
Lady Tamaraws coach Shaq delos Santos could not hide his delight after seeing his wards fought back despite the odds against them.
“The players showed that they really wanted to win. It was a rough start for us but credit to them that they recovered in time and complete the comeback,” said Mr. Delos Santos after their rousing victory.
The coach, who led University of Santo Tomas to the women’s title in Season 78, highlighted that their job is not yet done and that they have to come prepared in Game Two against an experienced La Salle crew, who they expect would make the necessary adjustments.
“La Salle is an experienced team. We made them think with this win but Game Two would be a whole lot tougher. But we are hoping to get it,” he said.
Prior to their win last Sunday, the Lady Tamaraws bowed to the Lady Spikers twice in the elimination round.
The winner of today’s game moves to face Ateneo in the bestof-three finals beginning on Saturday, April 23.