FAR Eastern University seeks to win one of its two remaining must-win matches to keep its Final Four hopes alive against National University today in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
With the Lady Tamaraws’ quest for a third straight semifinals appearance slowly slipping away, coach Shaq delos Santos is simply focusing on the task of beating the Lady Bulldogs in the 4 p.m. match.
“Challenge talaga ‘yung mangyayari para sa amin. Normal naman ‘yung pressure, kahit anong game na lalaruin mo. Maganda yung possible pang mangyayari sa amin kung maipapanalo namin,” said Delos Santos.
With a 6-6 record in sixth place, a loss to NU will put FEU on the brink of elimination.
Defending champion De La Salle, in a warm-up to its much-awaited April 8 showdown with co-leader Ateneo, takes on also-ran Adamson University in the curtain raiser at 2 p.m.
The Lady Bulldogs will have coach Roger Gorayeb back after a one-game absence, as the Bustillos-based spikers are eyeing to move within a win of advancing in the Final Four.
NU is sandwiched with University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas in a tie from third to fifth places at 7-5. The Lady Maroons and the Tigresses clash at 4 p.m. tomorrow at the same Pasay venue, with the winner assured of a playoff for the last Final Four slot.
If they beat the Lady Bulldogs, the Lady Tamaraws still need to get past the Tigresses on April 8 for a possible playoff for the No. 4 slot.
The Lady Spikers, who along with the Lady Eagles have already assured of twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four, are tipped to prevail over the 0-12 Lady Falcons.
Sporting a 10-2 record, the Lady Spikers have not dropped a single match in the second round.
In the men’s division, titleholder Ateneo (12-0) tries to move closer in clinching an outright Finals berth against De La Salle (4-8) at 10 a.m., right after the FEU-UP match at 8 a.m.
Games today
(Mall of Asia Arena)
8 a.m. – UP vs FEU (Men)
10 a.m. – DLSU vs ADMU (Men)
2 p.m. – AdU vs DLSU (Women)
4 p.m. – FEU vs NU (Women)