Just like in the first round, the league-leading Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles had to escape the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in five grueling sets, 25-20, 25-22, 17-25, 21-25, 15-8, to earn the first spot in the semifinals, March 18, Saturday at the FilOil Flying-V Arena in San Juan.
With their usual attacking prowess, the Lady Eagles were able to get themselves ahead in the gamefor a 2-0 lead. But the Lady Tamaraws took advantage of Ateneo’s problem in receptions to claim the next two sets.
Ateneo, however, regained its confidence in the deciding set with a 10-5 lead, before Coach Shaq pulled off a crucial substitution, putting in setter Kyle Negrito to have Gel Cayuna as an opposite spiker for a full frontline.
It seemed to have worked at first as FEU was able to trim down the lead at 10-8, but they were not able to move further as their own attack errors gave the match to Ateneo.
Kat Tolentino was not in her usual numbers with only six points, but fortunately, Jhoana Maraguinot delivered, tallying her season-high output with 23 markers. Mich Morente and Bea de Leon added 15 and 12 points respectively.
Three players were in double-digits for FEU, with Bernadeth Pons finishing the match with 19 points while Chin Basas and Remy Palma combined for 26 markers.
Player of the Game: Jia Morado, 39 excellent sets and 6 points
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