NU vs. UST, Ateneo vs. La Salle as new and old rivalries highlight the final week of the first round of UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball.
Storied matchups are set to drum up the excitement for the last week of round 1 action in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, with two rivalry games slated to spice things up as we head into the halfway point.
A classic Ateneo-La Salle will be the main game on Wednesday, before a Finals rematch between the NU Lady Bulldogs and the UST Golden Tigresses close out the first round on Sunday.
In between will be exciting matchups as well with all eight teams jockeying for position midway through the competition.
Let’s take a look at this week’s schedule.
Wednesday, March 12 (Mall of Asia Arena)
NU vs Adamson - 1:00 p.m.
The NU Lady Bulldogs (5-0) will have a pit stop before their Finals rematch against UST as they face the reeling Adamson Lady Falcons (2-3) in the opening game for women’s action on Wednesday.
After hurdling UP’s challenge last week, the Lady Bulldogs will try their luck against a Shaina Nitura-led Adamson squad who are coming off of back-to-back losses and are eager for an upset against the defending champions.
Alyssa Solomon, who recently entered her name into the 2025 KOVO Asian Quota Draft, will try make her final year with NU count as she aims to help them come closer to a first round sweep.
Ateneo vs La Salle - 3:00 p.m.
Ateneo (1-4) will be facing long-time rivals La Salle (3-2), the Blue Eagles remain wounded after losing another player to injury in Sobe Buena.
Despite being undermanned, Ateneo will be leaning on the likes of Lyann De Guzman and AC Miner to steady the ship against their storied foes. Meanwhile, Angel Canino and the Lady Spikers hope to keep things rolling after.
After starting their first win streak of the season in their last game, DLSU will try to make it three in a row against the Blue Eagles.
Saturday, March 15 (Araneta Coliseum)
Ateneo vs UE - 1:00 p.m.
The UE Lady Warriors (0-6) will be looking to avoid a first round shutout when they battle the Ateneo Blue Eagles in their final game of the round on Saturday.
Though on a slump in their past few outings, UE has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament, including some games where it could’ve gone either way at one point or another.
But the Blue Eagles, who will try to position themselves in a better ranking, will not take things lying down. With both teams fighting for much-needed wins, fireworks are to be expected with neither team backing down.
FEU vs La Salle - 3:00 p.m.
The FEU Lady Tamaraws (4-2) continue to make their case as legitimate title contenders as they face off against the DLSU Lady Spikers in their last game of the first round.
After coming off of a week-long break, FEU will be rested and rejuvenated against a La Salle team that is continuing to seek consistency in an up-and-down season so far.
Both Final Four teams last year, FEU and La Salle will try to get themselves in a better position for the second half of the season.
Sunday, March 16 (Araneta Coliseum)
Adamson vs UP - 1:00 p.m.
The UP Fighting Maroons (2-4) will be hard-pressed to stop their losing skid before the end of the first round, but standing in their way will be the promising Adamson Lady Falcons who are also seeking to get more wins.
On a slump in their recent games, UP is trying to regain its winning ways with the help of rookie Kianne Olango.
But Shaina Nitura, who will be hoping for more support from her teammates, will try their hardest to stop them.
NU vs UST - 5:00 p.m.
Two of the hottest teams in the UAAP will collide as the defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs go up against the UST Golden Tigresses (5-1) in a rematch of last year’s Finals matchup.
The Golden Tigresses, who were swept in the championship battle in Season 86, will try to get one over their rivals as they ride the momentum of their recent win streak, powered by the offensive power of Angge Poyos and Regina Jurado.
But NU, who have the ever-reliable, two-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen on deck, will do everything in their power to continue to reign over the Golden Tigresses.