Action heats up as University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Adamson University dispute the remaining finals berth in Season 87 University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s basketball tournament today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Game time is at 3 p.m. with the survivor gaining the right to face unbeaten National University (NU) in the best-of-three finals showdown starting Sunday.

After dropping the crown to UST last year, NU sliced through the competition with an impressive sweep of the double-round eliminations to coast all the way to the finals.

The Growling Tigresses, meanwhile, finished with a 12-2 record, needing a win over the Lady Falcons, who beat Ateneo de Manila University in the first round of the stepladder, before gaining the right to face the perfect Lady Bulldogs.

UST coach Haydee Ong said they can’t afford to commit mistakes if they want to reach the finals for the third time in the last four seasons.

“The most important thing in the Final Four is how we play our offense and defense. We have to be ready to play 40 minutes of solid defense against the team that we will face in the Final Four.”

“I think coming into the Final Four, it’s more on the mental toughness and the mindset because the stepladder is a knockout game not like the past seasons. The important thing is that for us to have a strong start and a stronger finish.”

The Tigresses swept their elimination round head-of-head, but the Lady Falcons gave them fits before dropping a 55-58 decision in the first round.

Gunning for its first championship appearance since 2011, Adamson is not content by assuring itself of a third-place finish.

“It’s about wanting it more,” Adamson coach Ryan Monteclaro said.

“If you want it, they will not give it to you. We have to work for it. These players have been through a lot, questioning each other, challenging each other.”