The University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University renew their rivalry on Saturday, with both teams looking to prove something to each other when it comes to their first round clash.
The Golden Tigresses swept the first round of the playoffs after coming back from two sets down to score a 22-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-7 victory over the Lady Tamaraws on March 3, thanks to partly because of a rabbit in Xyza Gula that KungFu coach Reyes pulled out of his hat when things were at their toughest.
Simply put, Santo Tomas would want a more complete victory this time around, just to say it wasn’t a fluke, which would also move the Tigresses closer to a two-time Final Four advantage.
For the Lady Tamaraws, coming back against the Tigresses would be nice, as it would not only ease some of the pain from that first round loss, but would give Far Eastern the ticket to the final semifinal spot.
“We really want to take revenge on them,” Far East coach Manolo Refugia said in Filipino of their 4 p.m. clash at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. “It was really painful, this loss. Really sad because we were two sets ahead.
Poyos returns
Gula was unchecked since her appearance in the third set, finishing with 14 points to resurrect the Santo Tomas offense.
Things are back to normal on the Tigresses side, with Angge Poyos, the prolific rookie, now taking on the role of top gun. And even though she missed a four-set victory against the University of the Philippines a few days ago, the top Rookie of the Year candidate and Most Valuable Player is ready to make her comeback against the Lady Tams.
Meanwhile, ousted Adamson and the University of the Philippines play for pride in the 2 p.m. match.
Jonna Perdido and Regina Jurado carried the fight for the Tigresses against the Fighting Lady Maroons, of course with plenty of help from setter Cassie Carballo.
And playing for bigger stakes from here on out with just three games remaining on his schedule, Reyes knows the importance of this matchup.
“Of course, they would like to win (against us) to prove something to themselves and also be in the top four,” Reyes said, also in Filipino. “It’s an old rivalry and I’m sure it will be neck and neck.”
Santo Tomas won their first eight matches and booked a semi-final spot ahead of everyone here. The only blemish on their record after 11 games at the hands of the National University Bulldogs and Bella Belen two weeks ago.
Win again
It was a wake-up call the Tigresses needed as they went back to basics to right the ship and carve out another winning streak before the most critical moment of the elimination round.
They still have one matchup with defending champion La Salle to end the standings.
The Lady Spikers, who are 9-1, have been without Angel Canino in their last two games where they have been forced to dig in the trenches.
La Salle takes on Belen and the Bulldogs on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena, and a National U win – which could be the first in their last six matchups – will definitely scramble the first two races for the Final Four bonuses.
And a repeat against the Lady Tamaraws could certainly give the Tigresses the opportunity to stay out of this complicated situation.