Final Four frenzy: Adamson, UST, FEU fight for last two spots

MANILA, Philippines – Two Final Four berths are at stake in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament as the Adamson Lady Falcons, UST Golden Tigresses, and FEU Lady Tamaraws look to join the La Salle Lady Spikers and NU Bulldogs in the knockout rounds.

With La Salle and NU already through to the semifinals and the UP Fighting Maroons, Ateneo Blue Eagles, and UE Lady Warriors crashing out of contention, Adamson, UST, and FEU figure in a tight battle to complete the Final Four cast. 

Here are the scenarios for each team to make the Final Four: 

Standings

1. ^ La Salle 13-0
2. * NU 9-3 
3. Adamson 8-5
4. FEU 7-5
5. UST 7-5
6. x UP 5-8
7. x Ateneo 1-11
8. x UE 0-13

^ – Twice-to-beat | * – Final Four | x – Eliminated

Adamson Lady Falcons (8-5)

Remaining game: FEU (Saturday, April 18)

Among the three teams in the running, the Lady Falcons — currently at third with an 8-5 record — have the clearest path to the Final Four: beat FEU and they’re in.

While Adamson fell to the Lady Tamaraws in four sets in the first round, it has been on a roll as it won four of its six games in the second round, losing only to unbeaten La Salle and two-time defending champion NU.

The Lady Falcons also flashed dominance in their last two victories, where they crushed UST and UP in straight sets.

With eight triumphs so far, Adamson is only a victory away from tying its win total in Seasons 86 (3) and 87 (6) combined and advancing to the semifinals for the first time since Season 85, where it finished third with a 10-4 record. 

The Lady Falcons’ resurgence has been tied to the one-two punch of Shaina Nitura and Frances Mordi, who own the top two spots in scoring in the entire league. 

Averaging a league-leading 20.5 points, Nitura also ranks in the top 10 among the best receivers (2nd) and best diggers (7th). 

Nitura is nowhere near replicating her smashing rookie season that saw her total a UAAP record 371 points, but that is largely due to Mordi sharing the offensive load with an average of 16.6 points. 

By improving to 9-5, Adamson will also have a chance to force a playoff for the No. 2 seat and a twice-to-beat advantage if the Lady Bulldogs lose their last two games against the Lady Spikers and the Golden Tigresses.

UST Golden Tigresses (7-5)

Remaining games: UP (Sunday, April 19), NU (Wednesday, April 22)

For a team that aspires to win it all in hopes of giving team captain Detdet Pepito and Jonna Perdido a fitting swan song, the Golden Tigresses have had a shaky campaign. 

A stunning straight-sets loss to Adamson in its last game dropped UST to 7-5 and dealt a huge blow to its Final Four aspirations, but the Golden Tigresses still have control of their fate with two assignments left in the elimination round.

Facing UP and NU, UST can secure the No. 4 spot with victory in both matches.

Getting back-to-back wins, though, is no easy feat, especially with the Lady Bulldogs standing in the Golden Tigresses’ way.

While UST is favored to once again beat the Fighting Maroons just like it did in the first round, it faces a tall order against NU, which has beaten the Golden Tigresses in six previous encounters dating back to Season 86.

In case it splits its last two games, UST can still get a crack at the Final Four as long as FEU, which totes an identical 7-5 record, also wins just one of its two remaining matches, prompting a playoff for the No. 4 berth.

The most favorable scenario for the Golden Tigresses is if they win both games and the Lady Tamaraws fall to the Lady Falcons, which results in a direct Final Four entry. 

Angge Poyos is expected to shoulder most of the offensive load for UST as she averages 17.2 points, with Regina Jurado the only other Golden Tigresses player in double figure scoring with 12.0 points. 

FEU Lady Tamaraws (7-5)

Remaining matches: Adamson (Saturday, April 18), Ateneo (Wednesday, April 22)

Taking into account the results of the first round, the Lady Tamaraws only have to beat Adamson and Ateneo again to reach the Final Four for the third straight year.

A win over the Lady Falcons will make things less complicated for FEU as it is expected to topple the Blue Eagles, a team that has won only once this season. 

On the occasion that they lose to Adamson and beat Ateneo, the Lady Tamaraws can still make the Final Four if the Golden Tigresses also split their last two assignments, a scenario that will lead to FEU and UST ending up with the same 8-6 record and triggering a playoff for the No. 4 berth.

The Lady Tamaraws can also clinch a Final Four ticket with an 8-6 record as long as the Golden Tigresses drop their two remaining matches.

Despite losing the likes of Jean Asis and Chenie Tagaod after Season 87, FEU has displayed resolve in big games as it pulled off an upset over NU and dragged La Salle to five sets, earning the distinction as one of only two teams to take the unscathed Lady Spikers to the distance. 

The Lady Tamaraws have banked on a balanced attack, with six of their players among the top 25 scorers — the most by any team. 

Faida Bakanke leads FEU with 11.9 points followed by Gerz Petallo (10.9), Alyzza Devosora (8.8), Jaz Ellarina (8.5), Clarisse Loresco (7.5), and Lovely Rose Lopez (7.3). – Rappler.com