Games today:
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
9 a.m. — UE vs UST (m)
11 a.m. — Adamson vs FEU (m)
1 p.m. — UE vs UST (w)
3 p.m. — Adamson vs FEU (w)
Super rookie Shain Nitura gets another chance to display her spiking savvy as Adamson University meets title contender Far Eastern University (FEU) on Saturday in a bid to ramp up its Final Four placing in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Riding high after a gritty five-set upset of an Alyssa Solomon-less National University squad, the Lady Falcons aim to sustain their momentum behind Nitura, who exploded for her fourth 30-plus-point performance in their last outing.
With a 4-7 record and just three games left, Adamson needs a win to stay alive in the Final Four race, making its 3 p.m. match today a must-win for the San Marcelino-based team.
FEU, the league’s winningest program with 29 titles, is eyeing back-to-back Final Four appearances.
Currently in third place, the Lady Tamaraws still have a chance to make the top two before the elimination round ends.
“For me, being part of FEU’s volleyball legacy and now having the opportunity to possibly deliver the 30th title is a milestone in my career,” head coach Tina Salak said.
“I’m grateful for the trust they gave me in handling this team. I’ll always give back to the community whatever I can.”
Salak will lean on Congolese opposite hitter Faida Bankanke as well as key players Gerzel Petallo, Chenie Tagaod and Karyll Miranda to ward off Adamson’s upset bid.
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas (UST) looks to strengthen its grip on a Final Four spot as it faces the already-eliminated University of the East (UE) at 1 p.m.
Currently holding a 7-4 win-loss record, the Golden Tigresses sit just one game behind FEU in the race for the third and fourth spots in the standings.
A victory against the winless Lady Warriors would not only boost UST’s bid for a fourth consecutive Final Four appearance, but also extend their winning streak to three games following a tough loss to De La Salle University last 29 March.
“We’re happy that we’ve managed to maintain this level of play,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes after their win against Ateneo de Manila University on 5 April.
“The players’ maturity and decision-making are translating into what they want to happen during endgame situations.”
Season 86 Best Setter Cassie Carballo will once again be vital in running the Tigresses’ offense, setting up scoring opportunities for standouts Angge Poyos and Regina Jurado.
UE, meanwhile, is still in search of its first win of the season after suffering its 12th straight loss at the hands of National University on Wednesday.
The Lady Warriors are down to their final two chances to avoid a winless campaign.