Far Eastern University stunned top seed National University, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23, to keep its title campaign alive in UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball on Saturday night, May 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Chen Tagaod and Jen Asis combined for 23 points to lead the way for the Lady Tamaraws, disarming the Lady Bulldogs of their twice-to-be semifinal advantage and force a do-or-die match for one of the finals berth next week.

The win not only boosted FEU’s championship aspirations but also avenged its three-set loss to NU in their last eliminations matchup last April 24.

The Lady Tamaraws banked on a ferocious third set, where they zoomed to an 11-4 advantage.

But the Lady Bulldogs were able to recover and trimmed their deficit to just one, 22-21, before rookie Faida Bakanke came through with crucial back-to-back crosscourt attacks that iced the game for good.

Mitzi Panangin also steered FEU with 10 points including four blocks and two aces while Christine Ubaldo took charge of their plays, providing 16 excellent sets.

MVP candidate Bella Belen paced the Lady Bulldogs in a losing cause with 12 points as the rest of her teammates were limited to single-digit productions.

FEU hopes to make its championship return for the first time since 2018 on Wednesday, May 8.