Far Eastern University extended its life in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Final Four in the strongest way possible.
The Lady Tamaraws disarmed top-ranked National University Lady Bulldogs of their twice-to-beat advantage to force a decider.
They won with an emphatic 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 straight-sets masterpiece stunner on Saturday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
FEU, which finished fourth in the eliminations, will look to complete its upset of NU in the rubber match on Wednesday, still at the Big Dome.
“Talagang ginusto talaga namin,” said Lady Tamaraws head coach Manolo Refugia. “Pumunta kami, nag-ensayo kami, ginusto talaga ng mga players.
“Naniwala sila na kaya nila, na kaya ng team, na kaya naming lahat na talunin talaga ang NU.”
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
From a one-win team in the league’s restart in 2022, to being fifth-placers last year, the Lady Tamaraws are a win away from reaching the Finals – and a shot at a record 30th championship.
No fourth-ranked team in the Final Four has reached the Finals since the format was institutionalized in volleyball in 2004.
FEU failed to beat NU in both their match-ups in the elimination round. They fell in four sets in the first round, 17-25, 25-13, 17-25, 20-25, before suffering a tight sweep in the second round, 21-25, 19-25, 22-25.
With the Lady Tamaraws up with a commanding 2-0 set lead, they pounced even more with an 8-1 start to the third frame.
They were still ahead 19-14 but the Lady Bulldogs rallied back courtesy of Season 84 MVP Bella Belen to inch within one, 18-19.
However, FEU protected its lead even when NU was knocking on the door at 23-24. Faida Bakanke drilled the off-the-block clincher for the win in one hour and 46 minutes.
Tin Ubaldo orchestrated the Lady Tamaraws’ balanced offense with 16 excellent sets while also scoring six points of her own.
Four FEU players made at least eight points each.
Chenie Tagaod led the way with 12 points, 10 excellent receptions, and four digs. Meanwhile, middle blockers Jean Asis and Mitzi Panangin also made statements with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The lefty opposite hitter Bakanke also contributed eight points for FEU, which drew 25 free points from NU’s errors.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
This is the Lady Bulldogs’ first loss since March 16, a 25-15, 19-25, 25-18, 19-25, 12-15 defeat to the De La Salle Lady Spikers to close the first round.
They later went on to sweep the second round and secure the top seed.
Belen was the lone NU player in double digits with 12 points while also tallying six receptions and six digs.
The duo of Vange Alinsug and Alyssa Solomon were limited to just eight points apiece.
