Games today:
(Mall of Asia Arena)
9 a.m. — UST vs UP (m)
11 a.m. — La Salle vs Adamson (m)
1 p.m. — UST vs UP (w)
3 p.m. — La Salle vs Adamson (w)
It’s University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) turn to test the stubbornly surviving University of the Philippines.
Just a win away from securing a seat in the next round, the Tigresses try to finally knock out the Fighting Maroons and complete the Final Four cast of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The explosive match fires off at 1 p.m. as action resumes after the Holy Week break.
So far, only defending champion National University has assured a spot in the semifinals armed with a twice-to-beat advantage with UST, De La Salle University, which are tied with identical 8-4 win-loss cards, Far Eastern University (8-5) and UP (6-6) scrambling for the last three slots.
The Tigresses have a chance to end the chase with a win over the Fighting Maroons and, in the process, give both the Lady Spikers and Lady Tamaraws free rides into the Final Four.
La Salle, however, can also clinch a semis spot without relying on UST if it hurdles also-ran but still dangerous spoiler Adamson University at 3 p.m.
But taking down the Diliman-based squad is easier said than done for the Tigresses.
UP is laser-focused on sweeping its last two assignments and hopes that at least one team among FEU, La Salle and UST won’t reach nine wins to force a playoff for the No. 4 spot.
The Fighting Maroons have already pulled off major upsets this season, including a thrilling 26-24, 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 16-14 win over La Salle before the Holy Week break.
“Hopefully, when we return from the break, we’re stronger — physically and mentally,” said UP head coach Benson Bocboc, whose team also stunned the Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Bulldogs.
For UST, head coach Kungfu Reyes hopes the break helped reset and recharge his team in time for their final push.
“You know the sacrifices they make. It’s different when your body’s at 100 percent — no sore legs, no lingering pain. Now, we’re starting to feel better because we had time to rest properly,” Reyes said.
The Lady Falcons, led by rookie phenom Shai Nitura, are already out of the semis contention with a 5-7 record but are determined to finish their season strong.
Head coach JP Yude said Adamson’s focus has already shifted toward next season with Nitura at the forefront.
“I believe her talent is God-given. We’re blessed to have her,” Yude said.
“I just want her to stay humble no matter what records she breaks or how far she goes. That’s the kind of leader her teammates need — one who stays grounded and leads by example.”
Nitura, who has posted five 30-point performances this season, was limited to just 16 points in their first-round loss to La Salle — her second-lowest output of the tournament.
In men’s division action, UST and UP open the day’s quadruple-header at 9 a.m., followed by La Salle versus Adamson at 11 a.m.
Both the Golden Spikers and Green Spikers, with 8-4 records, have already clinched spots in the Final Four, though their seedings are still up in the air.
UST coach Odjie Mamon said the break gave his squad a chance to recover and refocus ahead of a likely semifinal showdown with either FEU, which leads the standings at 12-1, or NU at 11-2.