Tams drub Falcons, make stepladder semis

MANILA, Philippines — And the stage is set.

Far Eastern U caught the last bus to the men’s stepladder Final Four as Adamson and Santo Tomas sealed their respective seedings in the women’s tilt at the close of the UAAP Season 85 volleyball tournament elimination round yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Tamaraws drubbed the Adamson Falcons, 25-22, 25-14, 26-24, to book the last semifinal slot while the Lady Falcons scored a 25-22, 26-28, 25-15, 25-17 win over the Lady Tamaraws to secure the No. 3 seed in the women’s division.

Mark Calado uncorked 25 points on 23 kills and two blocks as FEU (8-6), albeit the last squad to get in, overtook La Salle (8-6) for the third seed due to a higher point differential.

The Tamaraws’ win also eliminated No. 5 Ateneo (7-7) and nevertheless arranged a knockout duel with the Green Spikers in the first phase of the men’s stepladder semis.

The winner then faces No. 2 Santo Tomas in another do-or-die battle with the survivor gaining a shot at unbeaten and back-to-back champion National U, which swept the two-round elims at 14-0 for an outright finals slot.

“Babaunin namin yung lessons na nakuha namin. Tiniyaga namin pataas. Babaunin namin ito kung paano kami nakabalik at ‘yung eagerness sa laban sa La Salle,” said coach Rei Diaz as FEU nursed a four-game skid before limping to the Final Four with back-to-back wins.

In the women’s play, the quartet of Kate Santiago (21), Trisha Tubu (18), Lorence Toring (13) and Lucille Almonte (10) led the way as the Lady Falcons set up a battle against second-ranked and reigning champion National U (11-3).

“It’s an opportunity for greatness. Anytime na may chance na pwedeng ilaban, laro lang, laban lang,” said Yee, whose wards stood tall in a five-setter defeat against NU in the first round.

La Salle is the No. 1 seed with a 13-1 record.