ASIDE from clinching the much-coveted ‘twice-to-beat’ slot, University of Santo Tomas gave Adamson a free ticket to ‘Final Four’.
The Tigresses slammed the door for Far Eastern University to enter the semifinals via the backdoor with an emphatic 25-17, 25-19, 25-22 victory in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
In the first game, defending champion La Salle moved closer in sealing the semis top seed by repulsing National University, 25-15, 19-25, 25-15, 25-13.
Stephanie Mercado scored 16 hits while Charleen Cruz added 14 markers for the Lady Archers, who improved to 12-0.
La Salle will next face also-ran University of the East on Wednesday before finishing the elims with a blockbuster Valentine’s Day showdown against UST.
Angeli Tabaquero unloaded 15 points while Maika Ortiz collected 10 hits for the Tigresses, who showed their readiness as the España-based spikers are gearing up for the much-anticipated duel with the Lady Archers on Feb. 14.
UST improved to 11-2 and has not tasted defeat in eight games in 2010.
Cherry Vivas topscored with 16 points for the Lady Tamaraws, who played anew minus Shaira Gonzalez.
A proud owner of league-leading 29 women’s titles, FEU was booted out of ‘Final Four’ contention for the first time since the format started in 1994 with its seventh setback in 12 games.
The loss by the Lady Tamaraws allowed the fourth-running Lady Falcons (8-4) to book the last ticket to the semifinals.
Mervic Mangui had 17 hits for the Lady Bulldogs, who will try to avoid their first winless season since 2006-07 against the Lady Warriors on Valentine’s Day.
In the men’s division, reigning titlist UST downed NU, 25-16, 25-12, 25-16, for a 11-1 mark, while Adamson turn backed UE, 25-23, 25-21, 25-19. (TJ)
