FEU Lady Tamaraws celebrate win over La Salle Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Far Eastern University kept things simple amid a complicated Final Four race.

The Lady Tamaraws pulled off a major stunner, toppling La Salle, 25-20, 28-26, 20-25, 25-23, on Saturday night in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball at Smart Araneta Coliseum — their first victory over the Lady Spikers since 2019.

READ: UAAP: Pivotal weekend for Lady Spikers, Tigresses with final semis rankings at stake

“It’s an overwhelming feeling. As you all said … this is a milestone for the program,” said FEU coach Tina Salak, whose side last beat La Salle in 2019.

“It was a big advantage for us that we were able to use Holy Week to rest and recover,” she added. “The youngsters’ desire going into this match was really different.”

FEU Lady Tamaraws’ Gerz Petallo. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The win pushed FEU to a 9-5 record, tying La Salle. But the Lady Tamaraws settled for No. 4 via tiebreak following set ratio calculations — setting up a Final Four clash against twice-to-beat and defending champion National University.

That leaves 9-4 University of Santo Tomas with a chance to clinch the other playoff bonus when it battles the 11-2 Lady Bulldogs in a massive showdown on Sunday, also at the Big Dome.

READ: UAAP: Coach Tina Salak looks to make most of intact FEU core

Gerz Petallo shone brightest for FEU, finishing with 19 points built on 16 attacks, while adding 11 excellent receptions and eight digs in an all-around effort.

“Very proud of this team because everyone gave their full effort,” said Petallo. “Also, very proud of myself because I never thought I had this kind of game in me.”

But Petallo knows the job only gets tougher from here kn out.

“We will really double our efforts because they’re a champion team,” she said, referring to the Lady Bulldogs. “They won’t just give us the win. We have to work for it.”