Game today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

11 a.m. — La Salle vs FEU

De La Salle University and Far Eastern University battle in a win-or-go-home first stage of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 men's volleyball stepladder semifinals today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Game time is set at 11 a.m. with the winner moving on to the next phase to face No. 2 seed University of Santo Tomas in another knockout contest on Sunday at the same venue.

The Green Spikers and Tamaraws closed their elimination round campaigns with identical 8-6 win-loss slates for a share of third to fourth spot.

Both teams split their elims head-to-head, making their third meeting of the season more exciting with so much at stake.

"We're facing a tough opponent in La Salle. Hopefully, we'll be able to bring all the lessons we learned in our previous games and just stay hungry," FEU coach Rei Diaz said.

The Tamaraws will be carrying the momentum of back-to-back wins to end the elims but are keeping their guards up against the rivals that beat them in five sets in their last match.

"We'll use our (second round loss) to them as motivation. This is our opportunity for a payback," Diaz added as he tries to steer FEU back into the Finals after a runner-up finish in 2019.

Marching in front of the Tamaraws are Mark Calado, JJ Javelona, Dryx Saavedra and skipper Jelord Talisayan, looking to tear down the Green Spikers' vaunted net defense.

But La Salle is going all-out to stop FEU on its tracks.

Noel Kampton, John Mark Ronquillo, Vince Maglinao and Billie Anima are ready to rise to the occasion for the Green Spikers.

Defending champion National University is already waiting in the best-of-three Finals starting Wednesday next week.

The three-peat-seeking Bulldogs completed a 14-game sweep of the elims for an outright seat in the championship.   M. EscarlotE