Sudden death: FEU, UST clash for no. 4 spot

 

By Mark Escarlote | ABSCBN Sports & Action

Battle for redemption: University of Sto. Tomas and Far Eastern University contest the last step-ladder semifinals spot. Both squad missed the semis in the past two seasons.

University of Sto. Tomas and Far Eastern University march on to an all-important battle on Wednesday in the playoff for the no. 4 and last step-ladder semifinals seat in the 77th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The winner of the 4:00 p.m. match between the Tigresses and Lady Tamaraws will take on the third seed National University Lady Bulldogs in the first phase of the next round on Saturday.

UST and FEU ended their campaign in the eliminations with identical 6-8 win-loss records to force a playoff.

The Tigresses dealt the University of the East Lady Warriors their third straight winless season with an easy 25-10, 25-22, 25-11 victory last Saturday.

UST is just a win away from entering the semis after missing the cut in the previous two seasons.   

“Yung achieving our set goal na makapasok ng Final Four eto na malapit na. So one more game kuha na namin ang goal na yun,” said the busy mentor, who is also set to coach the Tigers in the men’s Final Four match in the morning game. “Tapos saka na natin pag-usapan yung overachievement.”

Top rookie EJ Laure, skipper Pam Lastimosa, Carmela Tunay, Marivic Meneses and Jessey De Leon are at the forefront of the Espana-based squad’s offense.

Firepower that had UST on top in their two elims head-to-head winning in the first round 21-25, 27-25, 25-16, 25-23 last January 10 before duplicating their domination in straight sets, 25-19, 25-21, 25-23, more than three weeks ago.

While the Tigresses focus on their attacks, the Lady Tams are more concerned with their net and floor defense.

“Ang pino-focus namin ngayon ay depensa hindi yung opensa,” FEU coach Shaq Delos Santos said. “Kasi mas kailangan namin ng depensa bago kami makaopensa.”

The Lady Tams eliminated the Adamson Lady Falcons from contention, 25-20, 25-21, 25-18, last Saturday for a back-to-back win momentum going into the match that could end the Morayta-based tossers’ two-season semis drought. 

“Susuot kami sa mas maliit na butas ng karayom pa pero pipilitin namin ‘yan hangga’t kaya namin and gagawin namin ang best namin,” said Delos Santos.

FEU has already staved off two do-or-die matches starting with their 4-set win over the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons last week.

League-leader in digs Christine Agno will anchor the floor defense of the Lady Tams while the inspired hitter Bernadeth Pons, middles Geneveve Casugod and Remy Palma, Jerrili Malabanan and Tony Basas will take care of the offense.

The survivor will face NU in a knockout game for the chance to take on De La Salle Lady Spikers that holds a twice-to-beat advantage for the last Final spot where the defending champion Ateneo de Manila Lady Eagles are already waiting armed with a thrice-to-beat advantage after sweeping the 14-game eliminations. 

The game will air live on ABS-CBN Sports+Action channel 23, BALLS SkyCable HD 167, TFC Bro, tfc.tv, sports.abs-cbn.com/livestream and uaaplivestream.uaapsports.tv.