FEU keeps DLSU on hold

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern U charged into the Final Four with a bang, stunning La Salle with a big 25-20, 28-26, 20-25, 25-23 win at the tail end of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball elims yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Lady Tamaraws stormed back from a 21-22 deficit in the fourth set to spoil the Lady Spikers’ easy route to the No. 2 seed plus the twice-to-beat advantage, tying their victim at third place with 9-5 slates, behind Santo Tomas (9-4).

A three-way tie at 9-5 with Santo Tomas, should it bow to reigning champion and No. 1 seed National U (11-2) today, is in play but FEU is already a lock at No. 4 due to inferior quotient.

If UST beats NU, the Tigresses will clinch the No. 2 spot at 10-4 and the twice-to-beat edge in the semis. Otherwise, UST and La Salle will figure in a playoff.

Still, the Lady Tamaraws scored a big win that could come in handy in their semifinal stint against NU, snapping a five-year drought against the mighty Lady Spikers after their last win in Season 81.

Gerzel Petallo spearheaded with 19 points on 18 hits while Jazlyn Ellarina nailed three blocks for 13 points in FEU’s win that needed two hours and 19 minutes, highlighted by a 28-26 escape act in the second set.

Earlier, Ateneo took flight to a graceful exit with a 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 27-25 win over the listless University of the East.

Missing the Final Four for the third straight year of a rebuilding phase, the Blue Eagles vented their ire instead on the Lady Warriors to go 5-9 and hand the latter a winless campaign at 0-14.

At the center of it was Lovely Rose Lopez, who finished with eight points off the bench none bigger than the down-the-line hammer to seal the deal. Faida Bakanke and Chenie Tagaod had 10 points each as Jean Asis added nine.

Angel Canino rifled in 25 points, Shevana Laput and Baby Jyne Soreño chipped in 12 and 11, respectively, but La Salle still absorbed a costly defeat that derailed its twice-to-beat hopes.

La Salle, which could have clinched at least a playoff for the No. 2 seed, now has to hope for a Santo Tomas loss to force a knockout match for the coveted No. 2 spot.

Earlier, Ateneo took flight to a graceful exit with a 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 27-25 win over the listless University of the East.

Missing the Final Four for the third straight year of a rebuilding phase, the Blue Eagles vented their ire instead on the Lady Warriors to go 5-9 and hand the latter a winless campaign at 0-14.