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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider As NU reaches Final Four, Adamson, FEU, UST battle for survival

As NU reaches Final Four, Adamson, FEU, UST battle for survival

Published Apr 13, 2026 03:06 pm

At A Glance

  • The UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball tournament gets more interesting ahead of the Final Four stage after the weekend action produced an unpredictable race for the remaining semifinal spots.
Adamson Lady Falcons (UAAP Media)
Adamson Lady Falcons (UAAP Media)
The UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament gets more interesting ahead of the Final Four stage after the weekend action produced an unpredictable race for the remaining semifinal spots.
With De La Salle University nearing an elimination sweep and a stepladder format becoming imminent, it is now a do-or-die situation for those who seek the last two berths in the semis.
Reigning champion National University booked its Final Four ticket with a commanding 25-19, 25-14, 25-14 win over the hapless University of the East to leave Adamson, Far Eastern University, and host University of Santo Tomas in a must-win scenario to stay in the semis hunt.
The Bulldogs hiked their record to 9-3 and sealed the second semis berth, while the Lady Tamaraws also prevailed last Sunday courtesy of a 25-21, 22-25, 25-19, 25-22 win over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons to improve to 7-5.
It created a three-way tie between Adamson, FEU, and UST in the standings and pushed UP to the edge as it carries a 5-7 slate.
Adamson’s Final Four return is clearer this time
Bannered by reigning Rookie of the Year Shai Nitura, now a leading MVP contender, along with Frances Mordi and Fhei Sagaysay, Adamson aims to return to the semis after missing out in the last two seasons.
Fueled by their bounce-back win over the Tigresses, the pathway becomes clearer this time as their next two games would be against the Maroons and the Lady Tamaraws.
If Nitura and Adamson repeat over UP this Wednesday, April 15, and strike back at FEU on Saturday, April 18 with a three-set win, it will climb to 9-5, enough to assure themselves a spot in the semis and perhaps steal NU's No. 2 spot with total points in play.
That could happen if the Lady Bulldogs bow to the Taft-based squad and UST in straight sets.
The Lady Tamaraws also face the same situation as they battle the Lady Falcons and the Ateneo Blue Eagles (1-11) on Saturday and next Wednesday, April 22, respectively.
UST on the edge of early exit
Among the three semis hopefuls, UST is at the bottom with 21 points as Adamson and FEU hold 22 for 3rd and 4th places, respectively. The squad must emerge victorious against UP (Sunday, April 19) and NU (Wednesday, April 22) as dominant as possible.
MVP award frontrunner Angge Poyos must bring out her A-game together with Reg Jurado, Cassie Carballo, and Detdet Pepito if they want to realize their semis goal, especially after another tough loss to Adamson.
A loss to either one of their next games could be fatal, and will end their streak of semis appearances that started since Season 81 (2019) where they reached the Finals and lost to the once powerhouse Ateneo.

Related Tags

UAAP Season 88 Adamson Lady Falcons Shai Nitura UST Golden Tigresses Angge Poyos NU Lady Bulldogs La Salle Lady Spikers FEU Lady Tamaraws
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