UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) and Far Eastern University (FEU) collide in a pivotal match that could strengthen their respective Final Four bids in Season 79 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball action today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Tigresses and Lady Tamaraws, who used to be the biggest rivalry in UAAP volleyball before the Ateneo and De La Salle era, clash at 4 p.m., right after defending champion De La Salle goes after the second Final Four berth against University of the East (UE) at 2 p.m.
A victory would give the Lady Spikers a share of lead with the Ateneo Lady Eagles, who lost to National University, 17-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13, on Wednesday, on a 9-2 won-lost card.
The Lady Warriors, on the other hand, are already out of semifinals contention and are only out to improve their 1-9 record.
UST (6-4), FEU (5-5), NU (7-4) and University of the Philippines (6-5) are jostling for the last two Final Four berths.
UST Head Coach Kungfu Reyes urged the Tigresses, led by Cherry Rondina and EJ Laure, to assert their 25-16, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20 first-round victory over FEU.
“We need to be go out every time, because this is the second round,” Reyes said. “Our remaining games might be the turning point of our campaign because we are in the same situation with FEU, UP and NU. We cannot afford to lose games, otherwise, it would pull us down.”