UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University, two of the most successful programs in the league trying to rekindle their old rivalry, clash in a key matchup which has a major implication for the No. 4 slot in the Final Four today in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Gametime is at 4 p.m.
With a 6-4 card in fourth spot, the Tigresses are holding a one-game lead over the sixth-running Tamaraws (5-5) in the race for last the semifinals berth.
Defending champion De La Salle seeks to formalize its entry into the Final Four against also-ran University of the East at 2 p.m.
After a disappointing effort in last week’s 25-12, 25-18, 21-25, 25-19 victory over winless Adamson University where it dropped the third set, UST coach Kungfu Reyes is looking forward to a better effort this time.
“Hopefully, wake-up call para sa amin. Kailangang ayusin namin, otherwise, may paglalagyan kami,” said Reyes, who is seeking to bring back the Tigresses to the Final Four for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
“Kung kalahati lang ang effort, kalahati rin ang resulta. Sana everytime, maging all-out na sila kasi second round. This could be a turning point kasi kami ng FEU, UP and NU, iisa na lang ang goal namin. Pare-parehas gustong pumasok ng Final Four,” he added.
Cherry Rondina and EJ Laure have been consistent all-season for UST, while veterans Pam Lastimosa and Ria Meneses are slowly getting into the groove of things.
For coach Shaq delos Santos, this is the time for the Lady Tamaraws to play with a sense of urgency.
“Kailangan naming makabawi. Especially ngayon, crucial na ang position namin. Hindi naman kami nawawalan ng pag-asa, kami na ang bahala kung paano namin ia-accept. ‘Yung team muna, kailangang ayusin namin,” said Delos Santos after FEU absorbed a heartbreaking 20-25, 22-25, 25-17, 25-21, 8-15 loss to Ateneo last Sunday. “
Bernadeth Pons, Remy Palma, Chin-Chin Basas and Nette Villarael will be the vital cogs for the Lady Tamaraws.
The Lady Spikers are in second place at 8-2, trailing the Lady Eagles (9-2) by half a game for the league’s best record and are ahead by one-and-a-half-game over the Lady Bulldogs (7-4) in the race for the second twice-to-beat slot in the Final Four.
De La Salle is heavily favored against the Lady Warriors, who are trying to give the Lady Spikers a scare just like what they did in a 15-25, 21-25, 25-22, 21-25 loss to the Lady Bulldogs a week ago.
In the men’s division, UP (5-5) and UST (4-6) play in a key matchup for the No. 4 slot at 10 a.m. right after the clash between NU (9-1) and De La Salle (4-6) at 8 a.m.
Games today
(Filoil Flying V Centre)
8 a.m. – DLSU vs NU (Men)
10 a.m. – UST vs UP (Men)
2 p.m. – UE vs DLSU (Women)
4 p.m. – UST vs FEU (Women)