Last season’s Final Four teams battle it out in the second round of UAAP Season 87 as UST takes on La Salle, and NU welcoming a fresh challenge from FEU.
Grudge matches are in store as the second round edition of Final Four rematches are slated to happen this weekend, with the UST Golden Tigresses and the NU Lady Bulldogs aiming to repeat over rivals La Salle and FEU, respectively.
With both first round encounters going to five sets, UST-La Salle, and NU-FEU will surely bring another cardiac treat for fans, with teams now jockeying for position in the Final Four with the second half of the season rolling on.
As all eight schools adjust, expect more fiery matchups and heart-stopping finishes as we reach the latter half of Season 87.
Let’s take a look at this week’s schedule.
March 26, Wednesday (FilOil EcoOil Centre)
UP vs NU - 11:00 a.m.
Before NU goes into battle against an equally-capable FEU squad, the Lady Bulldogs stake their unbeaten 8-0 record against a UP Fighting Maroons team struggling to find consistency in Season 87.
Currently touting a 3-5 record, UP is in a logjam outside of the Final Four. Reeling from a tough loss at the hands of the Ateneo Blue Eagles last week, Irah Jaboneta and company will surely look for an upset against the defending champions.
After reasserting their dominance over fellow contender La Salle in a 4-set victory, the Lady Bulldogs will be eager to once again stamp their class against the Fighting Maroons with MVP front-runner Bella Belen leading the way.
UE vs FEU - 5:00 p.m.
The FEU Lady Tamaraws (5-3) are back on track after repeating over the UST Golden Tigresses over the weekend.
But in their way for another win streak in UAAP Season 87 are a win-hungry UE Lady Warriors (0-8). Despite their winless record, Van Bangayan and the rest of UE have shown flashes of brilliance this season.
However, Gerz Petallo is hoping to get things going again for the Lady Tamaraws who are eagerly fighting for position for the Final Four.
At the moment, FEU is tied with UST and La Salle below NU in the team standings, making every win crucial.
March 29, Saturday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
Ateneo vs Adamson - 1:00 p.m.
Two teams coming off of momentum-building wins, the Ateneo Blue Eagles (3-5) and the Adamson Lady Falcons (3-5) will meet in a crucial battle on Saturday as UAAP action returns to the Big Dome.
Lyann De Guzman and the Blue Eagles are on a high after repeating over UP in their last game, winning back-to-back for the first time this season.
But Adamson, who continues to lean on Shaina Nitura’s scoring prowess, is on the same boat after snapping a 4-game losing streak with a rousing straight sets win over the listless UE Lady Warriors.
La Salle vs UST - 5:00 p.m.
Wounded contenders will be hard to stop as both the DLSU Lady Spikers (5-3) and the UST Golden Tigresses (5-3) seek a bounce back win in the hopes of pushing themselves ahead in the Final Four race.
Coming off of tough losses in their second round openers, the two teams will meet in a rematch of last year’s Final Four showdown.
MVP contender Shevana Laput hopes to lead the Lady Spikers in what is expected to be a heated battle against Angge Poyos and the rest of the UST Golden Tigresses, with both sides trying to play catch up with the undefeated NU team.
March 30, Sunday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
UE vs UP - 1:00 p.m.
The UP Fighting Maroons will be dead set on avoiding the upset axe against the cellar-dwelling UE Lady Warriors as they hope to keep themselves afloat in the Final Four race halfway past the tournament.
Facing an up-and-down season, UP will attempt to seek consistency against an increasingly desperate UE side.
Meanwhile, the Lady Warriors, steadied by the defense of Angelica Reyes, hope to turn their fortunes around after pushing the Fighting Maroons to five sets in their first round encounter at the start of the tournament.
NU vs FEU - 3:00 p.m.
Defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs will have their work cut out for them when they face familiar foes FEU in their second round encounter.
After being dragged into a competitive five-setter the last time out, the Lady Bulldogs will surely aim for an easier victory this time around, with Alyssa Solomon continuing to peak for the reigning champions.
But FEU, riding a recent high thanks to the offense of Faida Bakanke, hope to convert on the team's competitiveness to finally take a victory against NU.