MOMENT OF TRUTH: NU, La Salle aim to forge finals showdown

Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

10 a.m. — NU vs UST (m)

12 p.m. — FEU vs La Salle (m)

2 p.m. — FEU vs NU (w)

6 p.m. — La Salle vs UST (w)

The moment of truth has arrived with reigning champion National University and De La Salle University looking to arrange a finals showdown in Season 87 University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball tournament today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, the Lady Bulldogs will take on Far Eastern University at 2 p.m. while the Lad Spikers brace for a grudge match with dangerous University of Santo Tomas at 6 p.m. in a pair of Final Four encounters that are expected to go down the wire.

All eyes will be on the Lady Bulldogs as they displayed ferocious form in the double-round elimination en route to finishing with a commanding 12-2 slate.

Still, reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Bella Belen knows competing in the semifinals will be a different story.

“We know it won’t be easy. All four teams have a real shot at the championship,” Belen said, emphasizing on their need to stay competitive regardless of who is on the other side of the court.

“What matters now is how we work, how we maintain our competitiveness without going overboard. There’s still a lot to improve — scouting, adjustments — it all plays a part depending on who we face.”

Alyssa Solomon, who stepped up in last year’s do-or-die match after a shaky semifinal opener, put special premium on leadership and discipline in training.

“As seniors, it’s our role to keep the fire alive, especially during training,” Solomon said.

“If someone is slacking off, we call it out immediately. Eventually, they realize and return to their true form.”

True enough, FEU will be a tough nut to crack.

Branded as the league’s best blocking team, the Lady Tamaraws are focused on matching the Lady Bulldogs’ firepower, especially in attacks, digs, and setting.

“We learned a lot from the eliminations,” the Lady Tamaraws head coach Tina Salak said.

“We’re bringing those lessons into this game. Our focus is on improving our block and defense, working on both technical and tactical aspects.”

In the second women’s match, UST looks to bounce back from the sting of losing the Final Four bonus to La Salle.

Growling Tigresses coach Kungfu Reyes believes their belief and hunger will be key.

“There’s a fire in us. Even before the game starts, we already believe we can win,” Reyes said.

“We’ll carry all the hard work and sacrifices we’ve made for the Thomasian community. No matter the lineup, strong or weak, we’ll fight for UST until the end. We will always choose to fight.”

La Salle, for its part, proved it’s peaking at the right time with a commanding playoff win that saw the Lady Spikers tally 20 blocks — tying their season high.

If both NU and La Salle win, they will arrange a finals rematch of Season 85, which the Lady Spikers had won.