FEU aims for last UAAP semis spot

THE Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws aim to clinch the last semifinals berth of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament today, April 13, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.

But it will not be easy as the fourth-running FEU takes on league-leader University of Santo Tomas (UST) at 4 p.m.

A win by the Lady Tamaraws today will enable FEU (6-4) to join UST (10-1), La Salle (9-1), and National University (9-2) in the final four.

A loss, however, will give chance to Ateneo (3-8), University of the East (2-8) and Adamson (2-8) UE Lady Warriors (2-8) to catch up with FEU, which has four games left to play in the elimination round including UST today.

Faida Bakanke of FEU keeps the ball alive during the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball round one match against Adamson at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on March 9, 2024. PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO

The Lady Tamaraws, however, are determined to win today not only because of the semifinals berth at stake but also to get back at the Golden Tigresses, who defeated them during their first round encounter, 22-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-7, on March 3.

“We’re hungry for a payback win against UST because our loss was so heartbreaking since we were already up by two sets,” said FEU head coach Manolo Refugia, whose team is coming off a second straight win at Adamson’s expense, 25-19, 25-23, 25-23, last Tuesday.

“We’re going to ride our winning momentum. We need to be consistent and we need to really study on how to stop UST. Hopefully, we can execute, they (the players) can give their best and deliver, and we let go of the result.”

The Golden Tigresses, on the other hand, are also looking for a win to increase their chances of finishing in the top two at the end of the 14-game elimination round which merits a twice-to-beat incentive in the final four.

UST picked up its second straight win against University of the Philippines, 25-14, 25-13, 28-30, 25-15, last Sunday despite being without rookie ace spiker and MVP contender Angge Poyos.

Tigresses head coach Kungfu Reyes said that Poyos is poised to return to action today.

“Expect her to be back on Saturday. We were able to survive this game (against UP) and this win is for Poyos and Em (Banagua). Nothing serious about Poyos’ sickness. We just gave her enough rest to recover,” Reyes said.