Lady Tams crush Chiefs, make semis

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U reasserted its might in the fourth set and bundled out Arellano U in their duel for the other semifinal berth in Group 2, 25-16, 25-15, 24-26, 25-16, yesterday to join National University and UST in the Final Four of the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 First Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

New reinforcements Rachel Ann Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga lived up to the hype and combined for 41 hits, leading the Lady Tams’ domination of the Lady Chiefs that sent the Morayta-based squad into the semis of the season-opening conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

Adamson put on a solid game and cut Davao down to size, scoring a 25-15, 25-23, 25-15 victory to move within a win from nailing the other semis berth in Group I.

Except for a scrambling win in the second set, the Lady Falcons dominated the once-mighty Agilas who beat the Ateneo Lady Eagles last week, with Shiela Pineda and Thai reinforcemtn Pacharee Sangmuang leading the charge with 14 and 13 hits, respectively.

The victory evened Adamson’s card at 1-1 and at the same time gave Ateneo some hope for a playoff for the other semis seat. But an Adamson victory over UST tomorrow will slam the door shut on Ateneo and Davao.

But a UST win will create a three-way tie for second at 1-2 among Davao, Ateneo and Adamson, necessitating a playoff.

Daquis and Gonzaga, who punched in 10 points apiece to backstop top hitters Bernadette Pons and Mary Joy Palma in their straight-set romp over St. Benilde last Sunday, took charge for FEU this time with Daquis spiking her splendid all-around game with five aces and three blocks.

Gonzaga, a former MVP in the league backed by Mikasa, Accel and Lion Tiger Mosquito Coil, scattered 17 kills and finished with 21 hits while Palma chipped in 14 markers and Pons added 11 points.

Danna Henson, Arellano’s top hitter, tried to rally the Lady Chiefs but after snatching the third set, the Legarda-based squad struggled against the Lady Tams’ sustained firepower, solid net defense and superb floor coverage.

FEU pooled 51 kills in all as against Arellano’s 34 attacks, produced 11 blocks as against its rival’s six and scored 10 aces as against the Lady Chiefs’ three.