FEU rips AdU, earns playoff for QF slot

Far Eastern U pounced on an off-form Adamson side and came away with a straight-set 25-22, 25-21, 25-17 victory to assure itself of a playoff for a quarterfinal berth in the Shakey’s V-League at the Blue Eagle gym.

Maica Morada fired 14 hits while Shaira Gonzales tossed in 10 points for the Lady Tams, who disposed of the defending champions in one hour and 12 minutes in a match expected to go down-to-the-wire.

But the Lady Tams buckled down to work early and neutralized AdU’s hitters with a fine defensive job and court coverage to catch the idle San Sebastian spikers in second with a 4-1 mark in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

Three-time champion University of Santo Tomas advanced to the next round ahead of everybody else with a 5-1 card.

“We were able to control Adamson’s top hitters with our blocking,” said FEU coach Nes Pamilar.

Rachel Ann Daquis and guest player Mayette Carolino combined for 17 hits while Cherry Vivas added seven points for FEU, which faces SSC in an explosive duel tomorrow in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa and OraCare.

Adamson, led by Angela Benting’s 11 points, slid to 3-2 for joint fourth with a resurgent Ateneo-OraCare side.
The Lady Falcons also spoiled the return of reigning MVP Nerissa Bautista, who was held to just seven points after seeing action in an international beach volley tournament in Vietnam.

So tough was FEU’s defense that only Benting scored in double figures. Rissa Laguilles and Jill Gustilo each had six points while Paulina Soriano struggled for five hits.

Adamson showed up with a new guest player in Joanna Botor-Carpio, who took over from ace setter Janet Serafica, who had to honor a previous commitment with the Philippine Navy.

Botor-Carpio finished with four points.

The Lady Tams gained three straight points from mishits by Benting, Bautista and Carpio to break away from a 22-all count and take the opening set.

They hung tough again in the second frame then sustained their momentum and dominated the third to complete the surprise sweep.

v-league.ph