Game today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

12 p.m. — NU vs UST

Defending champion National University and University of Santo Tomas duke it out one last time for all the marbles in Game 3 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 women's basketball finals today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tipoff of the division's first best-of-three series decider in 10 years is set at 12 p.m.

The eight-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs saved their dynasty from collapsing last Wednesday in a cardiac, 72-70, escape as they banked on a couple of defensive stops in the waning seconds of the game to force a Game 3. With momentum on its side, NU gets a golden opportunity to extend its reign.

But Lady Bulldogs head coach Aris Dimaunahan knows that the wounded Tigresses won't let them get their way that easily.

"I guess, you could just imagine how the game would be in Game 3 and how you would deal with that just like any other games we have played," he said.

Adjustments would be minimal, the mentor said. Everything will boil down to who wants it more.

"Nothing fancy, nothing special. We just have to deal with possession after possession coming in the game," Dimaunahan said.

The trio of veteran Camille Clarin, who dropped 18 points and eight assists last match, Karl Pingol and Princess Fabruada will be NU's main gunners while Maymay Canuto and Stefanie Berberabe, who made the crucial stops in Game 2, will anchor the defense.

But taking down a title-famished UST side won't be an easy task.

The Tigresses of head coach Haydee Ong will be throwing everything they have to end a 17-year wait for their 12th overall title.

Graduating player Tantoy Ferrer, Kent Pastrana, Rocel Dionisio and Tacky Tacatac will shoulder the heavy burden of pulling UST through against a well-experienced but vulnerable opposition.