THERE will be no De La Salle-Ateneo Finals this year.
La Salle swept past National University, 27-25, 25-22, 25-11, yesterday at the MOA Arena to book a 10th straight appearance in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament finals.
Earlier, Far Eastern University advanced to the title round for the first time in nine years with a 25-20, 25-21, 14-25, 25-19 decision of the Lady Eagles last Saturday.
Game One is on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Bernadeth Pons delivered MVP-like numbers with 17 points, 19 excellent receptions and 16 digs as the Lady Tamaraws ended a long wait to make it to the title round.
Playing like there’s no tomorrow, Pons nailed back-to-back kills put FEU at match point before Ateneo scored three straight points to stay in the game.
But the Lady Tamaraws sealed the deal with Kyle Negrito scored a huge block on Jho Maraguinot, sending the green-and-gold clad gallery into frenzy.
Prior to this one, FEU last barged it to the Finals in the 2008-09 season and won its 29th crown in 2007-08 behind Rachel Anne Daquis.
With the triumph, the Lady Tamaraws ended the Lady Spikers-Lady Eagles championship saga that ran for six consecutive seasons.
FEU will face the winner of the other Final Four duel between titleholder and twice-to-beat De La Salle and fourth-ranked National University at 4 p.m. today at the same Pasay venue.
Definitely, the pep talk that the Lady Tamaraws legends Daquis and Tina Salak gave to the current crop after their four-set win against the Lady Bulldogs last week boosted their spirits in the Final Four.
“Nakakataba ng puso,” said FEU coach George Pascua who is making his first women’s championship appearance.
Chin-Chin Basas also had 17 points, including three service aces and two blocks, while Ced Domingo and Heather Guino-o combined for 15 hits for the Lady Tamaraws.
Earlier, Marck Espejo produced a performance of the ages as reigning three-time men’s champion Ateneo extended its season with a 18-25, 25-13, 24-16, 25-23, 15-9 win over FEU.
Espejo scored a league record of 55 points, nailing 47 attacks, surpassing the entire Tamaraws’ output, on top of six blocks and two service aces to carry the Blue Eagles to victory.
“Marck is a monster,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro. “Well, God’s gift talaga itong si Marck. Hindi lang sa atin, pati sa Philippine volleyball.”
Staring at early elimination, Espejo, the four-time MVP, simply won’t let his third-ranked Eagles to fade away to oblivion.
“Gusto kong maging memorable ang last year ko,” said Espejo, who was serenaded with “MVP” chants after the game.
The Marikina native hit the 50-point mark to give Ateneo an 8-5 mark midway in the deciding set and closed out the match with a kill off Richard Solis to cap a scintillating showing like no other.
Espejo came through with 15 points in the fourth frame to power Ateneo in sending the match to a decider.
Ish Polovorosa, who like Espejo is on his final season, tossed in 45 excellent sets.
The rubber match is set on Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
FEU, which hold the twice-to-beat advantage for finishing No. 2 in the eliminations, lost against Ateneo for the first time in three meetings this season.
Jude Garcia and JP Bugaoan each had 15 points while RJ Paler had four blocks for a 12-point effort for the Tamaraws, who squandered a 2-1 set lead as they succumbed to Espejo’s offensive rampage.