Lady Tams, Tigresses dispute last UAAP volley semis slot

MANILA, Philippines—The two squads boasting the most number of league crowns fight for survival in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday.

Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas, both leaning on young guns, still hope to make the cut as they clash for the last semifinal berth in a playoff match at 4 p.m. at Mall of Asia Arena.

Both the Lady Tamaraws and the Tigresses—the sport’s most successful teams with a combined 43 titles—wrapped up their elimination campaigns with 6-8 records.

“The important thing is we are still alive and we are just hoping for the best,” said UST coach Odjie Mamon.

The winner of the knockout duel will take on No. 3 National University (8-6) next at the start of the stepladder semifinals at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ateneo completed a 14-0 sweep of the eliminations to gain an outright championship berth, leaving the next three squads to fight for the last title slot in a stepladder format.

La Salle (12-2) clinched the No. 2 spot  to earn the twice-to-beat bonus in the series.

In men’s action, Ateneo and UST vie to arrange a title duel  as they try to dispose of their separate Final Four opponents today.

The No. 1 Blue Eagles, toting a twice-to-beat advantage, tangle with the fourth-ranked Adamson at 2 p.m., right after the No. 2 Tigers, also holding the same incentive, try to dethrone defending champion National University at 10 a.m.

Led by rookie standout EJ Laure and veterans Pam Lastimosa and Carmela Tunay, the Tigresses hope to sustain their mastery of the Lady Tamaraws, whom they swept in two elimination meetings.

But FEU coach Shaq delos Santos thinks the Lady Tamaraws found their rhythm late in the eliminations with Bernadeth Pons, Geneveve Casugod and Remy Palma.

“The players are starting to gain confidence,” said Delos Santos.