ATENEO went thru the wringer to edge out Far Eastern University, 25-18, 26-24, 23-25, 18-25, 15-12, and clinch the semifinals bonus Sunday in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Fille Cainglet uncorked 23 hits, while Alyssa Valdez chipped in 18 points as the Lady Eagles booked their 10th win in 12 assignments.
Earlier, University of Santo Tomas turned back also-ran National University, 25-19, 25-15, 25-15, to join Adamson in third place with an 8-5 record.
The Tigresses will take on the Lady Falcons on Wednesday, with the winner clinching the third semifinals berth.
“We need to win one more para at least No. 3 kami sa semifinals. Yun na lang ang next best thing since wala na yung chance na makuha namin yung No. 2 seed,” said UST coach Odjie Mamon.
The Lady Tamaraws, who were led by Rosemarie Vargas with 25 points, slipped to fifth spot with a 7-6 card.
FEU must beat University of the East on Saturday to forge a playoff for the last semis berth.
Dzi Gervacio contributed 16 hits for Ateneo, which drew a career-high 16 points from sophomore Ella de Jesus.
The Lady Tamaraws last threatened at 12-13 with Vargas scoring a kill before Cainglet countered back with a kill for the Lady Eagles to move closer to match point.
Ateneo then took the win after Vargas’ hit went outside.
Maika Ortiz finished with 18 points, while Judy Caballejo added 12 hits, including two blocks for the Tigresses.
Lucille Bayron had nine hits for the Lady Bulldogs, who fell to 1-12.
NU, which has not tasted a victory since defeating University of the Philippines last Nov. 26, is on its longest losing streak since dropping 13 straight in the 2009-10 season.
Meanwhile, Mark Gil Alfafara had 15 hits while Jayson Ramos chipped in 14 points as men’s titleholder UST (9-3) booked the second semifinals seat with a 25-16, 25-22, 25-22 win over University of the East (0-13).
Myco Antonio and John Kevin dela Peña combined for 30 hits as La Salle (8-5) clipped NU (7-6), 25-16, 21-25, 25-21, 25-22, to remain in the race for one of the two remaining ‘Final Four’ berths.(TJ)
