UAAP volleyball: Tigresses pin down Lady Tams, advance to semifinals

Midway through the second set, University of Santo Tomas open hitter Maruja Banaticla did a little shimmy after spiking one through a tired Far Eastern University defense. In the end, UST had all reason to celebrate as Banaticla scored 18 points off 15 attacks and three blocks to power the Tigresses to a 25-22, 23-25, 25-17, 25-21 win over the fatigued FEU Lady Tamaraws on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan CIty at the start of the stepladder semifinals of the 74th UAAP women's volleyball tournament. The Tigresses progressed further into the semis round and will next face second-seeded Ateneo, which enjoys a twice-to-beat advantage. The UST-Ateneo will also be played at the Arena in San Juan City at 2 p.m. on Saturday. FEU outlasted Adamson to clinch the fourth seed on Monday are coming into the game with just a one-day rest. The Tigers claimed a tight first set, forcing the Lady Tamaraws to field their best blocker, Mayjorie Roxas, in the second. It was the first time Roxas saw action in nearly two weeks due to a sprained Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), but made an immediate impact both on offense and defense. She quickly scored in less than 30 seconds after her entry. A dubious call by the referees further helped FEU's cause, which angered UST coach Odjie Mamon. Mamon was given a warning for excessive complaining. Momentum, however, had already swung FEU's way with the green and gold finally finding their offensive rhythm to turn a 17-15 to a 25-23 second-set victory. Both teams then treated the Arena crowd to a thrilling third set, trading scoring spurts and long rallies. Season 74 top spiker Rosemarie Vargas and Mary Rose Baniel took the scoring cudgels for FEU, while reserve Pam Lastimosa and errors by the Lady Tams provided UST the points. Banaticla and Judy Caballejo, both open hitters, caught fire in the third as the Tigresses slowly pulled away. FEU's errors also failed to help their cause with a Marie Basas outside hit gave UST a 25-17 third set win for a 2-1 edge. The Tigresses built a 7-2 lead in the fourth, but the Lady Tams scored five straight points—the last a Roxas tip—to tie the game. FEU even grabbed a 19-15 edge. UST, however, went on a closing 10-2 run with a Basas error to seal the Tigresses' win over the Lady Tamaraws. — JVP, GMA News