Four teams are locked in a tight race for Final Four spots but University of the Philippines (UP) is determined to crash the party when Season 87 University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball tournament enters its final stretch next week.

Powerhouse De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas (UST), and Far Eastern University (FEU) are knocking on the semifinal door with eight wins apiece but they have to play with a lot of caution as the Fighting Maroons are sizzling hot after claiming the scalps of big-time foes before the league entered the Lenten break.

The Fighting Maroons, who are eager to make history with their first semifinal stint since Season 78, shocked leader National University last 26 March in five sets before pulling the rug from under the Lady Spikers last 13 April, also in five sets, to gain a slight chance of advancing to the next round.

For the Fighting Maroons to gain a fighting chance for a Final Four berth, they have to beat a pair of quality foes in UST on 23 April and Adamson University on 27 April while hoping for La Salle, UST and FEU to drop their next assignments.

Should UP surrender one of its last two matches, La Salle would automatically punch a semifinal ticket. But should the Fighting Maroons sweep and the Lady Spikers lose both matches, a playoff for the final semis slot may be on the cards.

Like La Salle, the Golden Tigresses also hold an 8-4 record and just need one more win to seal a semifinal berth.

They take on UP on 23 April — a pivotal clash that could decide the entire playoff picture. A victory would send the Fighting Maroons packing the finalize the semifinal cast.

A loss, however, would leave UST needing to beat defending champions NU in their last assignment. And even that might not be enough to avoid a playoff, especially if La Salle and FEU hit nine wins first.

The Lady Tamaraws, who sport an 8-5 record, find themselves in a precarious position with just one game left — against La Salle.

Win it, and they’re in. Lose it, and their fate rests on UP’s remaining schedule.

If the Fighting Maroons drop either of their two games, FEU still advances. But if UP sweeps and the Lady Tamaraws fall, they will be dragged into a playoff for survival.

The Fighting Maroons know that they have the toughest path to the Final Four.

With a 6-6 record, UP must win both remaining matches — against UST and Adamson — and hope at least one of the current eight-win teams fails to hit nine.

If La Salle, UST, and FEU all reach nine victories, the Fighting Maroons are out regardless of their results.

Should one of them stumble, and UP pulls off a perfect finish, the Fighting Maroons will force a playoff for the final ticket to the semifinals.

It’s a long shot — but then again, so was their shocker over the Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Spikers.