Long is the way and hard for the last slot in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
University of Santo Tomas (UST), National University (NU), and De La Salle University (DLSU) are already in the Final Four, with three teams still in the hunt for the final ticket, namely Far Eastern University (FEU), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), and Adamson University (AdU).
Even the University of the East (UE) and the University of the Philippines (UP) are still alive, but their chances are slimmer.
While the Lady Tamaraws may have the advantage with their current 5-4 record, there are still plenty of scenarios where the Blue Eagles and Lady Falcons could snatch the last spot in the next few weeks.
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FEU’s path to the Final Four
Remaining opponents: Adamson, UST, UE, UP, NU
After their huge four-set win over Ateneo on Thursday, April 4, FEU is one step closer to returning to the Final Four stage since Season 81.
The magic number for the Lady Tamaraws to secure their spot in the next round will be 8.
The Morayata-based squad still has plenty of games to go but achieving their goal will be very much doable as FEU will be facing the likes of Adamson, UE, and UP—teams that they beat in the first round.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Coach Manolo Refugia warns against complacency as FEU nears Final Four return]
The Lady Tamaraws have also shown that they can compete against some of the title contenders as they face NU and UST in the second round.
First up for FEU will be Adamson on April 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at 2:00 p.m.
Ateneo’s path to the Final Four
Remaining opponents: NU, UE, DLSU, Adamson
The Blue Eagles badly needed the win over the Lady Tamaraws. Nonetheless, Ateneo’s Final Four hopes are still alive, but it will take several FEU losses for it to happen.
It won’t help that Ateneo’s next game will be against the Lady Bulldogs, who have been dominant as of late, on April 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena at 4:00 p.m.
But should the Blue Eagles pull off the upset against the Lady Bulldogs, this could pave the way for them to secure more victories as the elimination round nears its end.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: What changed for Ateneo in round 2? Roma Doromal, Zel Tsunashima get honest after clean sweep of UP]
Adamson’s path to the Final Four
Remaining opponents: FEU, UP, DLSU, NU, Ateneo
Adamson will need to win most—if not all—of its games while also hoping that FEU drops several of its matches in the coming weeks.
The San Marcelino-based squad will arguably have the toughest schedule ahead as they will still face NU and La Salle—both teams they have yet to take a set from this Season 86.
Luckily for the Lady Falcons, their Final Four run will begin in their upcoming match versus the Lady Tamaraws. A win over FEU will have them at a 5-5 record while Adamson will be at 3-7, slowly inching closer in the standings.
Reaching the Final Four will be a long road ahead for Adamson, but not impossible.
UE and UP’s path to the Final Four
Like Adamson, UE and UP will need to win all of their games for a chance to make it to the Final Four. That would also mean FEU losing at least four or five of its remaining games.
As long as there’s a chance, expect the Lady Warriors and the Fighting Maroons to give it their all in their remaining games this Season 86.
Battle for a twice-to-beat advantage
Even with a Final Four spot secured, UST, La Salle, and NU are also still battling it out—this time for the top seed and a twice-to-beat advantage.
UST’s remaining opponents: UP, FEU, UE, DLSU
DLSU’s remaining opponents: UE, NU, Adamson, Ateneo, UST
NU’s remaining opponents: Ateneo, DLSU, Adamson, FEU
Currently, the Golden Tigresses are at the top of the standings with a 9-1 record with just four games left in their schedule.
Should UST win all of their remaining games, including a rematch against La Salle, they will likely secure the top spot and the twice-to-beat advantage.
La Salle, on the other hand, will need to overcome NU and defeat UST this time around if they want to secure the top spot in the standings. The question, however, is whether or not the Lady Spikers can rise to the occasion without their superstar Angel Canino.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Shevana Laput, rest of DLSU Lady Spikers ready to step up amid Angel Canino’s absence]
The goal is simple as well for NU: sweep their remaining games.
As Bella Belen mentioned time and time again, the Lady Bulldogs can no longer afford a loss as a single defeat in their remaining games could mean them losing out on a twice-to-beat advantage.
[ALSO READ: "We cannot afford any loss na talaga" | Bella Belen hopes for stronger NU starts in round 2]
Expect all-out action in the remaining weeks of the elimination round of UAAP Season 86.