By Ardyn Gonzales
The Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws ended the elimination rounds on a high note after stunning the De La Salle University Lady Spikers in a huge four-set win, 25-20, 28-26, 20-25, 25-23, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
FEU finally scored a win against La Salle after six seasons of losing streak dating back to Season 81 – which coincidentally, was also the last game of eliminations which cost the Lady Spikers their outright twice-to-beat advantage.
The Lady Tamaraws convincingly won the first two sets but faltered in the third as the Lady Spikers prevented a sweep.
In the fourth, FEU was trailing behind by two points, 16-18, before they made a late 4-1 run to steal the lead at 20-19 courtesy of an off-the-block hit by Gerz Petallo.
La Salle regained control after a long technical delay, 22-21, but Faida Bakanke quickly tied the match again. An error from La Salle followed by a service ace from Petallo put FEU at match point. Angel Canino saved one for the Lady Spikers before Lovely Lopez came out clutch with a crosscourt kill to seal the upset win.
Petallo had a productive output with 19 points to go with 11 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs. Jaz Ellarina added 13, while Bakanke and Chenie Tagaod had 10 points apiece.
Meanwhile, Angel Canino was the lone bright spot for La Salle with 25 points as Shevana Laput was held down to just 12.
FEU is now tied with La Salle at 9-5 in the standings at the end of the elimination round.
A three-way tie is possible if UST (9-4) loses to NU but since FEU will have the lowest set ratio among the three teams, only La Salle has a shot for a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage. The Lady Tamaraws will settle for fourth place and will set a semis rematch against the defending champions NU.
Featured image courtesy of UAAP
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