The NU Lady Bulldogs will try to restore order after they were once again derailed in their title bid by an upset loss, this time at the hands of Shaina Nitura and the Adamson Lady Falcons over the weekend.
With Alyssa Solomon still questionable to return due to a minor injury, the Lady Bulldogs are expected to try and gain momentum against lower-ranked teams in their next two games. However, they could face tough resistance against the UE Lady Warriors and the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
[ALSO READ: Alyssa Solomon return for NU still up in the air after mild ankle sprain — ‘Let’s see’]
The UE Lady Warriors are already out of contention and will be fighting to avoid a winless season. Meanwhile, Ateneo are still in the running for a Final Four spot and are desperate for wins.
As the elimination round reaches its final stretch, let’s take a look at the schedule for the week before the league goes on a short break for the Holy Week.
Wednesday, April 9 - Philsports Arena
UE vs NU - 1pm
The UE Lady Warriors (0-11) are determined to avoid a winless outing in UAAP Season 87, and their next try at a breakthrough victory will be a wounded defending champions squad in the NU Lady Bulldogs (9-2), who are coming off of a tough loss.
Having been frustrated multiple times this season with close calls and small flashes of brilliance, Khy Cepada will attempt to rally the Lady Warriors in a David vs Goliath situation against Bella Belen and the Lady Bulldogs.
After being handed losses by lower-ranked teams not once but twice this year, NU will be hard-pressed to deny a monumental upset by the Lady Warriors.
[ALSO READ: Bella Belen admits alarm at NU’s upset losses in UAAP Season 87]
With both teams raring for a victory, there will be much to fight for in the week’s opener.
Ateneo vs FEU - 3pm
The Ateneo Blue Eagles (4-7) will fight for their Final Four lives as they face an equally determined FEU Lady Tamaraws (7-4) in the main game of UAAP’s Wednesday offering.
After a straight sets loss to UST in their last game, Ateneo will attempt to revive their dwindling semis hopes with the help of Lyann De Guzman and AC Miner’s ever-dependable offense.
But standing in their way is an FEU team that recently nabbed a crucial win for the push for the Final Four as they drubbed the UP Fighting Maroons in four sets over the weekend.
Despite the busy schedule, where they will play three games in a week, Faida Bakanke and the FEU Lady Tams are seeking to continue breaking away from the rest of the pack with a crucial win against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Saturday, April 12 - Smart Araneta Coliseum
UE vs UST - 1pm
The UST Golden Tigresses (7-4) are eyeing to make their case for the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four as they face off against the also-ran UE Lady Warriors in their 12th game of the season.
With renewed momentum after back-to-back wins, including a straight sets victory over Ateneo in their last outing, Reg Jurado and the Golden Tigresses aim to show their true championship mettle as they jockey for position in the Top 4.
Meanwhile, the UE Lady Warriors will have nothing to lose against the higher-ranked UST where they hope to spoil a few Final Four campaigns before they end their campaign in UAAP Season 87 after 14 games.
With one team with nothing to lose and another everything to gain, there will definitely be stiff competition between the two at the Big Dome.
Adamson vs FEU - 3pm
The Adamson Lady Falcons (4-7) are riding high after their monumental upset over the NU Lady Bulldogs last weekend and they will try to catch another contender off guard when they face the FEU Lady Tamaraws in the main game on Saturday.
Record-breaking rookie Shaina Nitura hopes to continue to step up for her team with another big performance — and then some — to topple the Lady Tamaraws who will be weary for playing twice already in the past seven days.
[ALSO READ: Shaina Nitura shrugs off record-breaking UAAP performances for Adamson — ‘Hindi naman po yun yung goal’]
But the Lady Tams, who will be leaning on the playmaking skills of skipper Tin Ubaldo, will dig deep to continue fighting despite the fatigue as they aim to keep pace with the rest of the Top 4.
Each game will be do-or-die for the Lady Falcons while FEU are hard-strapped for another victory to break into the top two.
Sunday, April 13 - Smart Araneta Coliseum
NU vs Ateneo - 1pm
The NU Lady Bulldogs will be wary of lower-ranked teams as they take on the Ateneo Blue Eagles in their penultimate game of the elimination round.
After taking losses against teams at the bottom half of the standings, expect the Lady Bulldogs to be on high alert against a competitive Blue Eagles team that has seen its fair share of win in UAAP Season 87. Lams Lamina will try to share the rock between NU’s hitters.
But fans can expect a dogfight as the Blue Eagles continue to push for the semis, or at least, a better showing to end the year.
With Zey Pacia easing into her role as a wing spiker, expect Ateneo to throw everything but the kitchen sink before they face their last game of the eliminations.
UP vs La Salle - 3pm
The UP Fighting Maroons (5-6) will try to steer their ship right back en route to the Final Four against a rolling DLSU Lady Spikers squad (8-3) who are in a good place to take twice-to-beat advantage in the semis.
After a frustrating loss against FEU the last time out, expect Irah Jaboneta and Joan Monares to step up to the plate once again to hopefully shock another championship team as UP chases their first semis in the UAAP since Season 78.
But the Lady Spikers, who will be well-rested, are determined to continue to rack up the wins to distance themselves from UST and FEU and hopefully clinch the second spot.
After a breakout game, Jill Santos hopes to make a bigger impact as La Salle now enters the last stretch of its elims bid.
[ALSO READ: UAAP Season 87 volleyball guide: Schedule, results, standings, where to watch, and more]