Classic rivalry in the UAAP.
The FEU Lady Tamaraws versus the UST Golden Tigresses matchup is a classic—and it dates back to the early years of the Final Four era.
It's a rivalry between the two schools with the most volleyball championships. And when these two square off, it's sure to be a showdown of tenacity, tirelessness, and talent.
But how would UST and FEU alumni fare in a dream all-star PVL showdown?
Let's find out!
Setter: Gel Cayuna vs Rhea Dimaculangan
Gel Cayuna has developed into a savvy setter for the Cignal HD Spikers, even nabbing the Best Setter award in the 2022 PVL Open Conference. She has also stepped up to the plate as an orchestrator for the national team.
However, the 24-year-old HD Spiker still has more years to go before covering the extensive experience of 2018 PSL All-Filipino MVP and three-time PSL Best Setter Rhea Dimaculangan. She famously led UST to a historic slam in 2009–2010 and won multiple titles with the Petron Blaze Spikers. Now, Dmac has more firepower to tap as the PLDT High Speed Hitters have been getting better and better.
Middle Blockers: Ced Domingo/Rem Palma vs Ria Meneses/Maika Ortiz
The Lady Tamaraws have plenty of walls at the net in the PVL with Gen Casugod, Cza Carandang, and Ezra Madrigal. But it only seems right to pick 2022 PVL Invitational Conference Finals MVP Ced Domingo of the Creamline Cool Smashers.
Then, there's the unassuming but ever-present 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference Best Middle Blocker Rem Palma of the Petro Gazz Angels.
The Golden Tigresses also have a Best Middle Blocker in Cignal's Ria Meneses and another in now-Choco Mucho Flying Titan player Maika Ortiz.
But FEU seems to have the advantage in this showdown, with two players getting consistent finals appearances in the PVL.
Outside Hitters: Rachel Anne Daquis, Jerrili Malabanan vs EJ Laure, Yza Jimenez
No one embodies the Lady Tamaraws spirit more in the PVL than Cignal's Rachel Anne Daquis. And she's still roaring, leading the way for the HD Spikers in every huddle with a "Happiness, Cignal!" chant.
On the other side of the net, the Chery Tiggo Crossovers' EJ Laure has proved to be invaluable in her comeback as an additional scoring option aside from MVP Mylene Paat.
It's a tough choice, but the experienced captain of the HD Spikers might have the edge.
Opposite Spiker: Toni Rose Basas vs Aiza Maizo-Pontillas
After a stellar run in the Shakey's V-League and PVL collegiate conferences, Toni Rose Basas is now finding her groove with Cignal.
Meanwhile, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas seems to be having quite the renaissance in the PVL. The multi-titled, multi-awarded conference MVP, finals MVP, and Best Opposite Spiker of the Shakey's V-League and the PSL is showing the younger stars of Petro Gazz how it's done.
Grethcel Soltones said it best about the legendary Golden Tigress: There's no one like Nang.
Libero: Buding Duremdes
The extremely loud and funny libero of the Crossovers, and formerly of the Lady Tamaraws, is here to say. And we will be hearing no slander about it.
UST will have some catching up to do in this position, and there appears to be no easy and quick path to that. The black and gold will have to act fast, because this classic matchup is just about to go down.
So, who you got?
(MDB)