In their second five-set classic this season, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles nearly wasted an early two-set lead but recovered just in time to edge out the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 25-20, 25-22, 17-25, 21-25, 15-8, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Their first round encounter had ended with Ateneo winning 25-19, 24-26, 19-25, 25-16, 15-11 last February 12.
The Lady Tamaraws shuffled their lineup in the early goings, as their usual starting six had allowed Ateneo an easy first set win. With Heather Guino-O and Kyla Negrito in for Jerrili Malabanan and Angelica Cayuna, respectively, the Lady Tamaraws gained steam in the second set, coming back from a 10-16 Ateneo lead in the second frame, to come within four. The Lady Eagles escaped with a 2-0 lead thanks to clutch serving from team captain Jia Morado.
The next two sets, the Lady Eagles struggled with their first touch. The Lady Tamaraws powered in most of their aces and blocks in a one-sided third set win. Tied at 21 in the fourth frame, the Lady Eagles flinched first, surrendering attack errors in the clutch to buoy FEU to the decider.
Ateneo regained form in the fifth set, rallying to an 8-4 lead before the Lady Tamaraws made a last-ditch attempt to bring the deficit down to two, 10-8. But Ateneo grabbed the last five points, as Bea De Leon served brilliantly and FEU faltered on the attack. Ateneo’s last two points came from FEU’s attack errors.
“Ganoon talaga kasi lalaban at lalaban ang FEU. Maganda talaga ang nilaro nila. Siguro talagang mas nakakuha kami ng maraming breaks at nagpakita ‘yung mga bata ng character,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sherwin Meneses.
Jhoana Maraguinot poured in a season-high 23 points, while Michelle Morente had her third triple-double effort of the season with 15 markers, 18 digs, and 17 receptions.
The Lady Eagles have officially broken into the Final Four with their league-best 9-1 record. They take on the National University (5-4) on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Bernadeth Pons tallied 19 points, Toni Basas added 14, and Remy Palma managed 12 for the Lady Tamaraws.
The Lady Tamaraws fall to sixth momentarily with a 5-5 record. They face the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses (6-4) on Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
ADMU (3) – Maraguinot 23, Morente 15, De Leon 12, Gopico 6, Morado 6, Tolentino 6, Gequillana 2, Madayag 1, Tan (L)
FEU (2) – Pons 19, Basas 14, Palma 12, Guino-o 6, Villareal 6, Cayuna 4, Negrito 3, Atienza 2, Malabanan 2, Agudo 0, Hernandez 0, Duremdes (L)
