FAR Eastern University (FEU) trounced San Sebastian College, 27-25, 25-20, 25-11, to secure a berth in the semifinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference on Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Denied last Wednesday after losing to National University (NU) in five sets, 17-25, 26-24, 25-14, 18-25, 11-15, the Lady Tamaraws made sure that they will earn it this time, as Bernadeth Pons, Remy Palma and setter Kyle Negrito conspired to book the ticket to the next round.
Pons led FEU with 19 points, the skipper Palma delivered 14 hits built around eight kills, four service aces and a pair of blocks, while Negrito dished out 28 excellent sets.
“Kung ‘yung reason ng pagkatalo namin ay doon kami titibay walang problema, basta kailangan focus pa rin tayo sa goal natin,” said FEU Head Coach Shaq delos Santos, whose wards improved to 3-1 and tied NU on the top. “Sinabi ko sa kanila na ibalik muna nila ‘yung focus nila sa game at ‘yung dating game namin nung nag-start ‘yung V-League,” he added.
The Lady Stags were led by Grethcel Soltones, who finished with 12 points. San Sebastian slipped to 2-2, but still need to win against University of the Philippines (UP) on Wednesday to force a play-off for the last semis slot.
In Spikers’ Turf, NU sent University of Perpetual Help packing with a slim 25-21, 25-22, 25-22 victory in to become the first team in Group A to earn a semifinals berth. The Bulldogs finished the first round with 4-1 win-loss mark.
The trio of Madz Gampong, Bryan Bagunas and Fauzi Ismail provided the big lift for NU, while playmaker Kim Dayadante paced the team with 28 excellent sets.
Gampong led all scorers with 12 points on seven spikes, three blocks and a pair of service aces. Bagunas unleashed nine attacks and two blocks for 11 hits, while Ismail added 10 markers, including 12 excellent receptions.The Altas, who led Group A most of the elimination round, dropped to 3-2 to bomb out of the race for the remaining semis slot in their group, as De La Salle and FEU, currently tied at 3-1, will figure in a knockout match on Monday for the top 4 spot.
Earlier, National College of Business and Arts (NCBA) upset another National Collegiate Athletic Association team in San Beda in four sets, 25-20, 23-25, 30-28, 36-34, to end its campaign on a high note. Coming off a huge win over Emilio Aguinaldo College, Jason Canlas waxed hot again for the Wildcats’ second straight win in Group B with 27 points, highlighted by 26 spikes, including nine digs. Canlas received ample help from teammates to end the campaign of NCBA with a 2-3 card. Ferdan Guanzon scattered 17 attacks and a pair of blocks for 19 points, while Darul Valenzuela and Ralph Oclima chipped in 16 and 11 markers, respectively, for NCBA. San Beda finished the tournament with 1-4 mark.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza