UST, NU volleybelles dispute last semis seat

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas and National University clash for the last semifinals berth in the UAAP women’s volleyball today in a playoff tipped to go either way at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

That makes the 2 p.m. match a must-see with the winner advancing to the Final Four against top seed La Salle on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Second seed Ateneo and No. 3 Adamson clash in the other semis pairing with the Lady Eagles enjoying a twice-to-beat edge like the Lady Spikers.

The Tigresses and the Lady Bulldogs split their two face-offs this season and went on to finish tied at fourth with 8-6 cards at the end of the elims, necessitating the playoff.

The Lady Bulldogs took the first meeting, 25-16, 25-23, 23-25, 25-13, but the Tigresses struck back in the second round with a 25-21, 25-21, 23-25, 25-17 win at the MOA Arena.

UST missed gaining an outright semis berth after bowing to Ateneo in three last Sunday while NU stayed alive by sweeping its last two elims matches, including one against Far Eastern U.

UST coach Odjie Mamon knows the Lady Bulldogs are brimming with confidence following their back-to-back victories but the Tigresses hope to ride on their last victory over their playoff rivals.

“Both teams, for sure, will make a lot of adjustments but we hope to cash in on our last victory against them,” said Mamon. 

“For sure, it’s going to be tough, it’s a do-or-die game. We have to fine-tune everything since we had a lot of lapses against the Lady Eagles last Sunday,” he added.