The UST Golden Tigresses are not about to shy away from an uphill battle as they try to book a return trip to the finals in UAAP Season 87.
Count on the UST Golden Tigresses to take on the added challenge of one more game on their schedule as they attempt to regain their bearings and book a return trip to the finals in UAAP Season 87.
Now tasked to go through a virtual best-of-three series with long-time rivals DLSU Lady Spikers, UST will need one more win to get back into the championship round, with a one-game playoff scheduled on Wednesday kicking things off.
UST could’ve avoided such a situation if they were able to beat NU last weekend, but for the Golden Tigresses, fortune didn’t favor them at the time.
[RELATED: After falling short vs NU anew, UST seeks maturity ahead of Final Four battles]
Regardless, UST head coach Kungfu Reyes said that they are ready to count their losses and handle what remains ahead of them.
Having faced each other in the semifinals in the last three years, there is no shortage of history between UST and La Salle, already forming one of the more fierce rivalries in UAAP women’s volleyball.
With the sheer competitiveness of both teams also coming out each time, there won’t be any lack of familiarity among the two competitors.
“Even La Salle naman, ganon din 'yung sinasabi [nila]. Kilala na rin nila kami. Alam nila kung sino isa-stop nila, alam namin kung sino go-to-guy nila, and alam nila kung sino go-to guy namin. Sabi nga namin, patibayan na lang ng isip saka dibdib itong labanan pagpasok ng playoffs,” said Reyes after the loss vs NU.
[READ: Rivalry renewed: UST, La Salle clash in Final Four showdown for third year in a row]
It’s been back and forth among the two teams in recent years, with UST and La Salle enjoying victories at certain times in the last few matchups since UAAP Season 81.
This year, it’s also a 1-1 slate in their elimination round meetings, with UST winning first before La Salle broke a four-game losing streak against the Golden Tigresses in Round 2.
Now with more at stake, Reyes said it’ll be good to show La Salle — and the fans — what they’ve got for one more stretch this season.
“They’ll be coming from an upset game, kasi kung nanalo sila, sure ball na silang twice-to-beat eh. Kami din naman may chance naman na kami naman, kumuha ng twice to beat advantage pero we fell short. So it meant na talagang isho-showcase ulit namin 'yung UST-La Salle showdown,” said the veteran tactician.
“We’re looking forward na mas maging... especially sa mga bata, na itong experience na ‘to, hindi experience ng lahat,” he added.
At the end of the day, it will be each team for their own. Because make no mistake, Reyes and his wards will throw everything but the kitchen sink at their Taft rivals to make it through the weekend.
“'Yung more exposure, malaking tulong both teams papasok ng finals, syempre, ganon din naman sa kabila. We’re happy at least nakaabot kami sa ganitong situation at hopefully maitawid namin at ayun naman talaga yung gagawin namin,” he said.
“Pipilitin namin maitawid itong Final Four na ‘to.”
The one-game playoff for the twice to beat advantage commences on Wednesday, 2 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The Final Four then begins on the weekend.
The Wednesday game will be aired on One Sports Digital, One Sports, UAAP Varsity Channel, and the Pilipinas Live app.