THE Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws kept their semifinal hopes alive by beating the University of the East Lady Warriors in straight sets, 25-14, 25-18 and 27-25, in UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball action yesterday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Currently at sixth place, the Morayta-based volleybelles needed to sweep their remaining games in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines season, beginning yesterday, to remain in contention for one of the two remaining semifinal spots.
The Lady Tamaraws made short work of the already-eliminated Lady Warriors in the opening set, opening a 13-8 lead midway and never were threatened thereafter to claim the frame.
FEU once again started strong in the second, building first a 12-5 cushion then stretched it to 18-9 three-fourths into the set.
But UE would make a big run to make a game out of it, going on a 9-2 run to come within two points, 20-18. That was the closest the Lady Warriors would get though as the Lady Tamaraws sprinted to the finish with a 5-0 blast of their own.
The third set saw the Lady Warriors take the fight to their opponents despite being down two sets.
UE stood toe-to-toe with FEU and was actually first to set point, 24-23. Unfortunately, nerves would get the better of the Lady Warriors as they failed to capitalize on the opportunity presented to them and allowed the Lady Tamaraws to snatch the set and the win.
Bernadeth Pons and Jeanette Villareal each had 11 points for FEU while Remy Palma added nine.
Setter Gel Cayuna had 13 excellent sets to go along with three points for the Lady Tamaraws.
Shaya Adorador, meanwhile, top-scored for UE with 11 points.
“We know what we need to do to keep our semifinal hopes alive so we are really working hard in practice. We are happy to take this win but we still have a tough task ahead,” said Cayuna, named player of the game, after their win.
FEU, by defeating UE, improved to 6-6 with two games left in its schedule in the elimination round.
It trails University of Santo Tomas (7-4), University of the Philippines (7-5) and National University (7-5) in the race for the final two semifinal spots.
The Ateneo Lady Eagles (10-2) and the defending champions De La Salle Lady Spikers (9-2) are the only teams so far which have notched semifinal seats.
Next for FEU is a meeting with NU on Saturday, April 1, while UE (1-11) faces Ateneo on Sunday, April 2.