FEU sends La Salle,UST to playoff face-off

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern U gave Santo Tomas a big favor yesterday as the Lady Tams disappointed the La Salle Lady Spikers, 25-22, 13-25, 15-25, 27-25, 15-8, sending UST and La Salle to a playoff match for No. 2 spot in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball competition.

Before a good weekend crowd at the Filoil Flying V Centre, the Lady Tams put on a show of will power, rallying from one-to-two-sets down to foil the Lady Spikers’ crack at an outright second place finish in the elims behind the Ateneo Lady Eagles.

Dead in the water in the second and third frames, the Lady Tams came alive in the fourth and sustained a brilliant effort through the fifth and deciding set for the victory that could boost their morale going to their Final Four showdown with the Lady Eagles.

Ending up tied at second with identical 10-4 slates, UST and La Salle break the standoff at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the same San Juan venue, with the winner gaining the twice-to-beat advantage in their own semis faceoff.

“The team is inspired. Ayaw namin masayang ang paghirapan namin sa practice at naniniwala kami na kaya namin manalo,” said Heather Guino-o, the big difference in their fightback win over the Lady Spikers.

The two teams split their elims matches.

Guino-o sparkled with 24 points including 20 on attacks, one block and three aces.

“Kahit may kakulangan kami, kayang punan as a team,” Guino-o said.

Earlier, Ateneo sealed its No. 1 finish on a 25-20, 27-25, 25-11 drubbing of University of the East.

Kat Tolentino showed the way for the Lady Eagles, coming through with 11 points off eight kills, two blocks and an ace.

The Lady Eagles finished with a best record of 12-2 and will take on the FEU Lady Tamaraws in a semis rematch. This time, Ateneo will enjoy the twice-to-beat advantage.