By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws dominated the University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas, 25-16, 25-20, 25-17, in the do-or-die Game 3 of the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge semifinals at the Paco Arena in Manila on Sunday afternoon, September 24.
Chenie Tagaod spearheaded the Lady Tamaraws’ offense with 17 points, including six attacks, while Mitzi Panangin protected the net after tallying five of the team’s 12 total blocks.
The Lady Tamaraws emerged victorious in the best-of-three semifinals series to set up a championship battle with the reigning NCAA women’s volleyball champion College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers beginning on Wednesday, September 27.
After handily beating the Lady Altas in the first two sets, the Lady Tamaraws pulled away late in the third frame at 22-17 before Gerzel Petallo and Tagaod put on the finishing touches with three straight points.
“Mas pinag-focus ko sila. Mas pinag-usap ko sila para makabalik kami sa gusto naming sistema, para hindi namin magising si Perps, kasi iba rin trumabaho si Perps,” Lady Tamaraws interim coach Manolo Refugia said.
Reigning NCAA MVP awardee Mary Rhose Dapol was not felt offensive in the must-win game as she was limited to nine points for the Lady Altas, which stunned the Lady Tamaraws in Game 1.
Meanwhile, De La Salle University Green Spikers hacked out a 25-17, 25-15, 25-19 sweep of rival Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in the do-or-die semifinals of the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge.
JM Ronquillo top-scored with 16 points, while playmaker Simon Encarnacion kept the team’s offense humming all-game, producing a 16-excellent set performance to lead the Green Spikers.
Following lopsided wins in the first two sets, the Green Spikers were tested early in the third frame before establishing a 20-15 advantage on consecutive points from Ronquillo en route to clinching a finals seat.
The Green Spikers will open their best-of-three championship series against the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers on Wednesday afternoon./ASC, WDJ