After a near 10-year absence, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws regained a taste of their celebrated history, outhustling the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, 25-20, 25-21, 14-25, 25-19,at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Tamaraws last made the Finals in Season 71. They also broke the six-year Finals run of the Lady Eagles.
The Lady Eagles opened the match strong, capitalizing on FEU’s miscues to grab a 13-10 edge. The Lady Tamaraws recovered. With Ateneo’s offense muffled, the Lady Tamaraws stormed to a decisive 8-0 run that buried the Lady Eagles.
Again bucking a slow start, FEU erased a 14-12 Ateneo. Clinging to a 23-21 lead, the Lady Tamaraws leaned on graduating veteran Bernadeth Pons to clinch their final two points and the second set.
Ateneo finally sustained their strong start in the third set. After establishing a 10-5 cushion thanks to Bea De Leon’s serving, the Lady Eagles pounced on the Lady Tams’ errors to cruise to a quick win.
Refusing to stay deflated, the Lady Tamaraws rejuvenated their stingy defense in the fourth frame. The Lady Tamaraws steadily crept ahead, eventually setting up three straight points from Pons to clinch the Finals.
“Siyempre kumbaga, speechless,” said an elated FEU head coach George Pascua. “Pinaghirapan namin ‘yun, pinlano namin talaga, nag-usap-usap kaming mga players, ang dami naming sinakripisyo para makarating dito dahil, ten years na medyo isang dekada na wala sa Final ang FEU.”
Pons and opposite hitter Toni Basas each tallied 17 points. FEU’s offense fed off 41 errors from the Lady Eagles.
The Lady Tamaraws will face the winner of the La Salle-NU Final Four tiff.
Jhoana Maraguinot, who played her final game for the Lady Eagles, and Fil-Canadian winger Kat Tolentino each contributed 11 points.
The Lady Eagles will look totally different next year as head coach Tai Bundit bid farewell to the UAAP.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Basas 17, Pons 17, Domingo 8, Guino-o 7, Negrito 6, Carandang 3, Villareal 3, Cayuna 1, Malabanan 1, Hernandez 0, Atienza (L)
ADMU (1) – Maraguinot 11, Tolentino 11, De Leon 7, Samonte 7, Madayag 6, Wong 2, Eleazar 0, Gequillana 0, Gaston (L), Lo (L)
