FEU outlasts UST, completes Final Four cast

Rookie Faida Bakanke posted a season-high 21 points as Far Eastern University claimed the last Final Four seat via 19-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 15-10 win over University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday night, April 13, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

Not only the Lady Tamaraws are back in the Final Four for the first time since Season 81 in 2019 but they also handed the mighty Golden Tigresses their second loss in the eliminations. 

FEU improved its record to 7-4 in the standings and formally eliminated Ateneo, Adamson and University of the East from the semifinal race. 

Bakanke led the way for the Lady Tamaraws with 21 points built on 15 attacks, four blocks and two service aces after averaging only nine points in the first round. 

Jean Asis, for her part, delivered an equally reliable performance of 16 points highlighted by 13 kills. 

Locked at 7-all in the decider, FEU steadily pulled away with an 8-3 finishing kick, bringing over the momentum from their fourth-set fightback. 

Rookie-Most Valuable Player candidate Angge Poyos, who sat out the previous game due to illness, paced the España squad like she was never gone with 20 points off 14 attacks, two blocks and four service aces. 

Regina Jurado and Jonna Perdido, who took turns taking the lead for UST last time out sans Poyos with their own season best performances, had 15 and 12 points, respectively, in the losing effort. 

With the loss, UST slid to a 10-2 slate in the standings and is likely to be forced into a three-way with defending champion De La Salle and tormentor National University. 

La Salle and NU are facing each other on Sunday, April 14, with the two precious twice to beat bonus on the line.