Ateneo de Manila University and Adamson University face off in a do-or-die match to climb the ladder as the chase for the remaining University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 women’s basketball championship berth begins today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The winner of the 10:30 a.m. contest will take on defending champion and No. 2 seed National University in another knockout clash on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

University of Santo Tomas (UST), aiming to reclaim the title it won two years ago, advanced directly to the best-of-three Finals after completing a perfect 14-0 campaign in the eliminations.

The Blue Eagles, fourth placers in the last three seasons, stumbled late in the eliminations, dropping their final two games, including a 71-77 loss to the Lady Falcons last week.

Ateneo, which finished third in the eliminations, also met Adamson in last season’s step-ladder and suffered a heartbreaking 53-59 overtime defeat.

Coach LA Mumar admitted that the Blue Eagles’ build-up to the Final Four was far from ideal, especially with the Lady Falcons peaking at the right time.

“However, I think we thrive in adversity, and I think the girls will be ready by Sunday. We’ll either win or we’ll learn,” Mumar said.

“Hopefully, we suffered strikes one and two with losses to Adamson and La Salle, but the most important thing that I told the girls after this game ay if we come out blazing on Sunday, no one will remember these last two losses. We’re gonna come back, and we’re gonna play our best basketball on Sunday.”

For first-year coach Jed Colonia, the Lady Falcons must elevate their game to clear the first ladder.

Kacey dela Rosa, the Blue Eagles’ heart and soul, will team up with Nigeria’s Sarah Makanjoula in the middle.

Ateneo’s main concern is Nigerian Kemi Adeshina, who spearheaded Adamson’s second-round surge after dealing with health issues early in the season.

In 16U action, Far Eastern University-Diliman and Adamson try to keep their season alive at 8:30 a.m., with the survivor taking on UST in another do-or-die matchup on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, NU-Nazareth School has already secured a spot in the best-of-three title series after sweeping the eliminations with a perfect 14-0 record.