UAAP volleyball: FEU shatters UST’s furious comeback to seal Final Four berth
The Final Four cast for the stepladder semis is now complete as the FEU Lady Tamaraws bombed the UST Golden Tigresses in a five-set showdown, 25-21, 25-15, 20-25, 16-25, 15-6 at the Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday evening.
FEU cruised smoothly in the first two sets as they easily manhandled the Tigresses for an easy 2-0 lead. However, UST wouldn’t give up their season that easily as they ultimately forced a 2-2 tie leading to the pivotal fifth set.
With the game up for grabs, FEU suddenly shifted into high gear as they opened the fifth set with a dominating 7-2 lead after a spike from Heather Guino-o. UST tried to search for answers but FEU finally slammed the door shut with key points from Remy Palma.
FEU’s win marks their return to the Final Four for the first time since UAAP Season 72.
“Medyo nagrelax kami sa third and fourth sets pero buti na lang nakasurvive kami at maganda ang pinakita ng mga bata,” said FEU head coach Shaq Delos Santos. “Kung baga nakita namin ‘yung kumpiyansa ng bawat isa lalo na kapag down kami at kaya pa rin nila makarecover.”
The trio of Bernadeth Pons, Guino-o and Genevieve Casugod contributed 17 points each while Palma had 11 points and 2 blocks. In addition, Samantha Dawson had 5 points.
On the other hand, Pam Lastimosa led the Tigresses with 19 points, 2 blocks and 6 digs while Ria Meneses had 11 points and 4 blocks. In addition, sparkplug Cherry Rondina had 11 points.
“Hindi kami nawawalan ng pag-asa since nakakaakyat na kami,” added Delos Santos. “Hindi pa kami pwede magrelax kasi intense ang sunod naming kalaban.”
With this win, FEU will now face the third-seeded National University Lady Bulldogs this Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The scores
FEU (3) – Pons 17, Guino-o 17, Casugod 17, Palma 11, Dawson 5, Basas 3, Papa 2, Simborio 0, Malabanan 0, Agno (L) 0.
UST (2) – Lastimosa 19, Meneses 11, Rondina 11, Cortez 6, Palec 5, Laure 5, Tunay 3, Cabanos 3, De Leon 1, Verutiao 0, Dusaran (L) 0.
