MANILA, Philippines -- Far Eastern U drew strength from newly acquired reinforcements Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga as it overpowered St. Benilde, 25-18, 25-18, 25-17, Sunday to remain in the semis hunt of the Shakey's V-League Season 11-First Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.
The power-hitting pair of Daquis and Gonzaga, who have been recently loaned from the Phl Army, combined for 20 hits to help propel the Lady Tams to their first victory in the quarters in two outings counting their straight set defeat to the National U Lady Bulldogs, the reigning champions, in the group stages.
Bernadette Pons and Mary Remy Joy Palma spearheaded the Morayta-based lady spikers with 17 and 12 hits, respectively, helping them moved a win closer from clinching one of the two semis spots in the second quarters pool.
FEU's last quarters foe is Arellano U (1-1) on Tuesday.
And they will need top get another strong performance from the pretty, long-limbed duo of Daquis and Gonzaga for FEU to pull the rug from under Arellano U, which made it this far by ending up in a three-way logjam on top of Group A in the elimination round.
"Their addition helped uis greatly in this win," said FEU coach Shaq delos Santos referring to Daquis and Gonzaga.
The Lady Blazers, who were led by Jannine Navarro and skipper Therese Veronas' combined 22-hit effort, fell to their second loss in as many outings and practically out of semis contention.
National U has practically clinched the first spot in the semis after nailing its second win in this round following a 25-9, 25-14, 25-18 bashing of Arellano U Thursday. It will play winless CSB on Thursday.
And the FEU-Arellano U duel will be do-o-die.
"I think our next match against Arellano will determine who makes it to the semis so we'll treat it as if its our last," said delos Santos.