Games Today
(Filoil EcoOil Center, San Juan)
9 a.m. — UP vs ADMU (men)
11 a.m. — UP vs ADMU (women)
3 p.m. — NU vs AdU (women)
5 p.m. — NU vs AdU (men)
REIGNING champion National University (NU) and surprise contender Adamson University (AdU) lock horns in a pivotal setto as the race to the Final Four heats up in the return of UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament from a long break today at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan.
Fresh from a 10-day pause in observance of the Holy Week, the Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Falcons plunge back to action at 3 p.m. in a bid to maintain their rankings inside the top four — or go extra mile for a twice-to-beat bonus.
Adamson so far owns the solo second spot at 7-2, University of Santo Tomas (7-3) is running at third while National University (6-3) is lurking behind at No. 4 with De La Salle University (9-1) pacing the race in the homestretch.
Only the top two teams will gain a win-once bonus in the Final Four and NU is out to stabilize track for that bid amidst a shaky campaign so far with three losses already after an immaculate 16-0 championship run in Season 84.
NU in the first round carved out a gritty 25-22, 25-19 , 25-27, 22-25, 15-10 win over Adamson that served as the glimpse of its invincibility before bowing to UST and De La Salle twice. The Lady Falcons for their part, riding on a three-game winning streak, eyes to capitalize on the suddenly vulnerable Lady Bulldogs to get the job done this time and keep a stronghold of the coveted No. 2 seed.
“It’s good thing na okay iyung nagiging play ng team but we still have to win games to qualify,” said Adamson mentor Jerry Yee.
Meanwhile, struggling squads Ateneo de Manila University (3-6) and University of the Philippines (1-8) battle at 11 a.m. to keep their playoffs alive with only four games to go in the two-round eliminations.
In the men’s division, Ateneo (5-4) and UP (0-9) clash at 9 a.m. while title holder and unbeaten NU (9-0) duels with Adamson (1-8) at 5 p.m. — John Bryan Ulanday