Far Eastern University (FEU) pulled away from University of the East (UE), 70-53, to strengthen its bid for the last Final Four spot in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 women’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Led by Amyah Español, the Lady Tamaraws secured their second straight victory, improving to a 6-7 record and sharing fourth place with fellow Final Four contender Adamson University, with one game remaining in the eliminations for each team.

Eager to return to the postseason for the first time since their third-place finish in Season 82, this win gives FEU crucial momentum ahead of a pivotal clash against the still-unbeaten University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday also at the Big Dome.

The Lady Falcons, meanwhile, face semifinal-bound Ateneo Blue Eagles (8-4) on Sunday.

“We already discussed how important this game was. Coming into this game, they already knew that this is a must-win game,” Lady Tamaraws head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy said.

“By winning this game, we’re now tied with Adamson. We have one more game left against UST, and Adamson as well one game left tomorrow so this final stretch will be crucial.”

Down 35-21 at halftime, UE opened the third quarter with 10 straight points to cut the deficit to 35-31.

However, FEU responded at the perfect moment, unleashing a decisive 19-8 run — highlighted by a Max dela Torre midrange jumper and an and-one conversion by Lorelie Garavan — to take a 54-39, 15-point lead.

That surge in the third quarter proved pivotal, as in the fourth period, key baskets by Shem Abatayo, Dela Torre and Joann Nagma kept the Lady Warriors down 63-46 with 5:17 remaining.

Español finished with 21 points, six rebounds, two steals, and one assist, while Abatayo was one assist shy of a double-double, tallying 10 points, nine assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Shane Salvani added nine points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while Garavan contributed seven points and one rebound.

UE closed Season 88 with 24 straight losses, finishing winless at 0-14 in Ian Valdez’s first year as head coach.