Lady Tams, Tigresses prevail, gain volley playoff

Games today (Filoil Flying V Arena)

10 a.m. – UP vs DLSU (men’s)

2 p.m. – FEU vs UE (men’s)

4 p.m. – UP vs NU (women’s)

MANILA, Philippines -  Rejuvenated Far Eastern U and Santo Tomas hurdled their respective last assignments in the UAAP Season 77 women’s volleyball eliminations to gain a playoff for the remaining berth in the tourney’s stepladder semis yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

The Lady Tams, who revived their bid with a crucial victory last Wednesday, sustained the form and prevailed over Adamson, 25-20, 25-21, 25-18, while the Tigresses cruised to a 25-10, 25-22, 25-11 romp over winless University of the East as the two victors finished tied for fourth spot with identical 6-8 marks.

Idle University of the Philippines (5-8) could make it a three-way logjam if it hurdles semis-bound National U (7-6 at presstime) today. In case of a triple tie, a double KO will be held to determine which will face No. 3 Lady Bulldogs in the stepladder phase for the right to face No. 2 La Salle (12-2) next. Unbeaten defending champion Ateneo is waiting in the finals armed with thrice-to-beat bonus.

Bernadeth Pons and Mary Reny Palma posted 12 points apiece while Geneveve Casugud added 10 as the Lady Tams kept their bid alive while ousting the Lady Falcons (5-9).

“Good game kami (for us) today. Sa wakas nakita ang laro ng mga bata at andun na yung tiwala nila sa isa’t isa. Gumagana na ang plays at yung coordination ng team (finally the girls were able to show their game and their thrust in the system and one another),” said FEU coach Shaq delos Santos.

It was sweet revenge for the FEU belles, who got the boot from the Lady Falcons last season in their rubbermatch for No. 4.