Far Eastern University is eager to secure a spot in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament as it aims for a major upset against the league-leading University of Santo Tomas on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
With a 6-4 record, the Lady Tamaraws can end three seasons of no semifinals action with a win against the Golden Tigresses, whom they pushed to a five-set marathon in the first round before ultimately succumbing.
UST (10-1), De La Salle University (9-1), and National University (9-2) have already secured their tickets to the postseason.
Their 22-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-7 stinging loss to the Golden Tigresses would be their main motivation coming into their 4 p.m. clash, according to Lady Tams head coach Manolo Refugia.
"Siguro mas gutom kaming bawian talaga si UST kasi 'yung naramdaman ng mga players noong natalo talaga kami, syempre, masyadong heartbreaking 'yun kasi up by two kami," said Refugia.
UST, on the other hand, welcomes back top gunner Angge Poyos, who missed their game against University of the Philippines last Wednesday due to dehydration.
Against the Fighting Maroons, lefty hitters Jonna Perdido and Regina Jurado led the charge for the Golden Tigresses with 24 points apiece.
"Yung old rivalry ng FEU at UST hindi pa rin nawawala yan kaya definitely magiging neck-to-neck at nail-biting 'yung bakbakan nito especially may gusto rin silang patunayan kasi nandoon sila sa top four," said long-time UST coach Kungfu Reyes.
Both Adamson University and University of the Philippines aim to halt their respective skids in the 2 p.m. collision.
The Lady Falcons (2-8) have dropped their past six games while the Fighting Maroons (1-10) have suffered defeats in their previous four games.
Morayta and España collide with all the 90s feels injected into the 2024 crop as the league-leading FEU Tamaraws 🔰 and Final Four-seeking UST Golden Spikers 🐯 do battle at the Ninoy!
The Adamson Soaring Falcons 🐦 and UP Fighting Maroons ✊ are doing the honors of breaking modern UAAP volleyball ground at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to begin weekend action!
Watch the collegiate volleyball tournaments LIVE via the UAAP Varsity Channel on Cignal CH. 263 HD, and via the Pilipinas Live app.
