THE ATENEO Lady Eagles defeated Far Eastern University (FEU) in four sets, 25-23, 24-26, 25-19, 25-23, on Wednesday, September 7 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Although the Lady Eagles maintained an early lead throughout the first set, the Lady Tamaraws were able to catch up, saving four match points before ultimately succumbing to the pressure of the Ateneo offense.

In the second set, the Katipunan-based side was able to establish a 3-point lead after the second technical timeout. However, a 4-0 run by the Lady Tamaraws saw the tides shift. A saved match point turned out to merely be a consolation for the Lady Eagles as Domingo and FEU Team Captain Palma ended the second set, 24-26.

The third set was similarly tight as the Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Eagles kept each other at arms reach. However, de Leon would score four straight points in the latter parts of the set, contributing to a 6-1 run by the Lady Eagles that saw them a set away from a finals berth.

In the fourth set, the Lady Tamaraws looked to bounce back, establishing a 6-point lead to enter the first technical timeout. Despite this deficit, a string of errors by FEU and a series of points by de Leon cut the Lady Tamaraw lead to one point by the second technical timeout. Successive contributions by Gopico and Morente saw a 6-1 run by the Lady Eagles in the late periods of the set, bringing them to match point. Although the Lady Tamaraws would save two match points, a service error handed the Lady Eagles a spot in the finals.

Behind Bea de Leon’s 2o points and her Player of the Game performance, the Lady Eagles overcame the Lady Tamaraws, the first seeded team coming into the playoffs.

Game 1 of the Lady Eagles Shakey’s V-Leauge Finals matchup against National University will be held on Monday, September 12.