The Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws exorcised its UAAP demons after crushing the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles in straight sets 25-18, 25-19, 25- in the 2016 Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference quarterfinals at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
FEU cruised an 8-2 lead in the first set and continued to punish the Lady Eagles’ defense with quick plays to net a 22-17 late lead and seal the set. Ateneo tried to keep the second frame close but the Lady Tams served hard and managed an insurmountable 20-13 lead.
The third frame looked to be well in FEU’s favor as they held a 21-13 advantage. The Lady Tams saw their advantage dwindle down to one, 23-22, after a long spell of errors and botched plays. Luckily, Heather Guino-o ended a long rally with an open hit which was followed by an Ateneo attack error that closed the match.
FEU team captain Remy Palma and opposite hitter Toni Basas led the Lady Tams with 13 points apiece while Bernadeth Pons pitched in 10 markers.
“Sinasabi namin sa team na halata namang tumataas na ang laro namin, kailangan ma-embrace na nila ‘yun,” FEU head coach Shaq delos Santos said. “Hindi naman sa sinasabi namin na nandoon na kami, pero kailangan na lang namin maging consistent.”
Ana Gopico had nine points for the Loyola-based spikers while Bea De Leon managed eight markers.
The Lady Tams earned the first seed with a 4-1 record and will face the winner of the Ateneo-San Sebastian do-or-die clash in a best-of-three series for a seat in the Finals. The Lady Eagles face the Lady Stags on Saturday, 6:00 pm, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Basas 13, Palma 13, Pons 10, Guino-O 8, Malabanan 6, Cayuna 4, Negrito 2, Hernandez 0, Villareal 0, Duremdes (L)
ADMU (0) – Gopico 9, De Leon 8, Samonte 7, Gaston 6, Gequillana 6, Morente 6, Morado 0, Lavitoria 0, Wong 0, Tan (L)
