Games tomorrow:   
(FilOil Flying V Arena)
10 a.m. -- FEU vs. DLSU (M)
2 p.m. -- UST vs (W/stepladder)

ROSEMARIE Vargas drilled in 19 points as Far Eastern University returned  to the  semifinals after a  two-year  absence with  a 25-19, 25-17, 26-24 win over Adamson in their ‘do or die’ match yesterday in the UAAP women’s volleyball  tournament at the Filoil  Flying V Arena in San Juan.

With the Lady Falcons threatening to bring the match to another set, Vargas took charge by scoring four consecutive hits for the Lady Tamaraws to erase a two-point deficit and seize the lead, 21-19.

Adamson got a new lease of life  when Toni Basas’ hit went wide to tie the game for the last time at 24-24, but Sheila Pineda and Pau Soriano committed two straight errors for FEU to clinch the win.

Vargas registered two blocks and five digs.

“Masaya ako at nagma-mature ang laro ni Vargas.  Natututo na siyang dumiskarte at malaki pa ang mai-improve niya,” said Lady Tamaraws coach Nes Pamilar.

FEU will take on  third seed University of Santo Tomas in  the  first stepladder match  tomorrow,  where  the  winner  will  face No. 2 Ateneo in the second stepladder duel.

Defending champion La Salle has already advanced to the finals outright after completing a 14-game sweep of the eliminations.

“Sana magtuloy-tuloy na ang  magandang ipinapakita namin.  Ibang usapan na itong semifinals,” said Pamilar.

After placing second to the Lady Archers in 2009, the Lady Tamaraws, who are the league’s most bemedalled team with 29 crowns, went on a downturn by  missing the ‘Final Four’ in the next two seasons.

Pineda finished with 11 hits for  the Lady Falcons, who were booted out in the playoffs for the first time since the ‘Final Four’ format in volleyball was instituted in the 2005 season.

Adamson sorely missed  the  services of setter  Mae Macatuno for the second straight game due to a finger injury, where  Theresa Piza struggled once more in setting up plays for her teammates.