NU beats UST, keeps FEU alive

MANILA, Philippines — With an assist from National U, Far Eastern U forced a knockout with Santo Tomas for the last ticket in the stepladder Final Four as the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball elimination round came to a thrilling close last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Lady Tamaraws first took care of business against the  lowly Ateneo Blue Eagles, 22-25, 23-25, 25-12, 25-21, 15-10, before having their wish granted as the Lady Bulldogs tamed the Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-13, in a reverse sweep.

FEU and Santo Tomas finished with identical 8-6 slates while NU (10-4) sealed the second seed for a bye in the stepladder play led by unbeaten La Salle (14-0), which gained an outright finals berth.

The winner this weekend gets to face No. 3 Adamson (9-5) with the survivor advancing to the second ladder against back-to-back champion NU.

But getting there wasn’t a walk in the park for the Lady Tamaraws, who had to rise from the ashes after the Blue Eagles – eliminated and all – swung out with guns ablaze by taking the first two sets in a bid to score a graceful exit.

Behind MVP contender Gerzel Petallo’s all-around performance of 17 points, 16 digs and 11 receptions, FEU just stamped its veteran pedigree by owning the rest of the match.

A retaliation in the next two sets paved the way for a rubber, where the Lady Tamaraws ran away from a slim 10-9 cushion for the gutsy win in two hours and 21 minutes.

“After matalo sa first two sets, 0-0 lang ang mindset namin kasi hindi pa po tapos ang laban. Kailangan lang po naming bumalik, pusuan pa po at mas i-angat pa,” said Petallo, who drew ample support from Lovely Lopez and Kyle Pendon with 13 points each.