Crucial tiff for Ateneo, UP

Ateneo tries to stay on track of a twice-to-beat edge in the semifinals and extinguish University of the Philippines’ playoff hopes when they clash Saturday in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Running second with a 9-3 record, the Lady Eagles need a win in their 4 p.m. clash with the Lady Maroons to keep Far Eastern University, which is at 7-4, at bay.

The Lady Tamaraws battle the Adamson Lady Falcons in the 2 p.m. game, with a win sealing their place in the semifinals while also keeping their twice-to-beat hopes alive.

UP’s only chance of marching on would depend on wins in its last two games and key losses by those in the upper half of the standings.

Adamson, on the other hand, is just half-a-game out of fourth spot behind idle National University.

With three games left, the Lady Falcons hold their destiny in their hands, and coach Airess Padda is asking her charges to be tougher mentally.