MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) For the first time since Season 71, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws will play in the Finals of the UAAP women's volleyball tournament.

And they did it by dismissing the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, who were aiming for a seventh consecutive Finals appearance, in front of a crowd of nearly 14,000 at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.

The Lady Tamaraws showcased remarkable net defense and tireless floor defense en route to a 25-20, 25-21, 14-25, 25-19 victory over the Lady Eagles, ending a nine-year Finals drought for the Morayta spikers.

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The last time that the Lady Tamaraws reached the Finals, they were still bannered by the likes of Rachel Anne Daquis, Maica Morada, and setter Wendy Semana. Meanwhile, Ateneo failed to reach the Finals for the first time since Season 74; this is also the first time in the Tai Bundit era that they will not play for the championship.

"Pinaghirapan namin 'yun, pinlano namin talaga, nag-usap-usap kaming mga players, ang dami naming sinakripisyo para makarating dito," said FEU coach George Pascua, who brought the Lady Tamaraws to the Finals in his first season in charge.

MVP candidate Bernadeth Pons was once again superb for the Lady Tamaraws, firing 17 points while also tallying 19 excellent receptions and 16 digs. Toni Rose Basas had one of her best games of the season, scoring 17 markers on 12 kills, two blocks, and three aces.

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The Lady Tamaraws surged to a 2-0 set lead, with Pons scoring the crucial kills in the second set to fend off the Lady Eagles' rally.

But FEU fell apart in the third frame, committing a whopping 14 errors that allowed Ateneo to claim a comfortable 25-14 win and extend the match.

Unfortunately for Ateneo, they were unable to ride their momentum in the fourth set. After taking an 11-9 lead off a net violation by Pons, they gave up six straight points – two of which came on kill blocks by Jeanette Villareal.

Now brimming with confidence, the Lady Tamaraws would go on to lead, 24-16, thanks to a hit by Pons. Ateneo managed to save three match points, thanks to a kill and an ace by Kat Tolentino, and a block by Maddie Madayag on Heather Guino-o.

But FEU would not be denied. Kyle Negrito capped a strong performance by rejecting Jhoana Maraguinot at the net, sending the Lady Tamaraws' fans into a frenzied celebration.

The block by Negrito on Maraguinot that sent FEU to the Finals pic.twitter.com/tc0yzZxySR

— Camille B. Naredo (@camillenaredo) April 21, 2018

The Lady Tamaraws will play either National University or defending champion De La Salle University in the best-of-3 Finals.

Tolentino and Maraguinot each scored 11 points for the Lady Eagles. But FEU outplayed them in virtually every category, with the Lady Tamaraws having more kills (40-35), blocks (13-6), and aces (10-3). Ateneo stayed in the game thanks in part to FEU's 41 unforced errors.

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