FAR Eastern University and National University will compete for the second and last berth in the Finals of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball competition on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
On Saturday, the Morayta-based squad, now known as the Giant Slayers, managed to pull off another upset, this time against NU. The Lady Tamaraws easily swept the top-seeded team, winning 25-23, 25-17, 25-23.
Despite this, the Lady Bulldogs are trying to rebound from a humiliating 0-3 setback in their first meeting, while the ever-motivated Lady Tamaraws hope to become the first fourth seed to advance to the championship.
Coach Manolo Refugia, who took over the FEU club this year, is looking forward to see the 29-time champions back to the Finals. He believes that the team with the most heart will win this game.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
“Kung sino man ang may gusto, kung sino man ang mataas ang pinaghuhugutan, kung sino talaga ang willing na manalo,” Refugia stated during the Final Four game.
The Lady Tamaraws’ last championship came in Season 70. They last competed in the championship round in 2018, when they were swept in two games by the Lady Spikers.
Meanwhile, NU’s squad is hoping to improve on their performance against FEU. The key motivation for this group is to make the finals for the third consecutive season.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Former MVP Bella Belen led the Lady Bulldogs on both ends of the court, with the hope that Alyssa Solomon will step up after struggling last Saturday.
Despite losing their first game, Belen believes the Lady Bulldogs can learn from the Lady Tamaraws’ success in the Final Four and continue their redemption tour.
“I think kailangan naming magsipag pa,” Belen explained. “Hangga’t yung mindset namin, mentally and physically nandoon, hindi kami mahihirapan.”
The Finals between UST and the winner of the FEU-NU Final Four match will be the first Finals series without DLSU or ADMU since 2008, when FEU defeated Adamson University in a dramatic championship.
