The rivalry between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and DLSU Lady Spikers will be in full force ahead of this week's crucial games in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament.
With the Final Four seats officially secured, the remaining games of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament have become a battle for the twice-to-beat advantage among the top four teams.
But even for the teams already out of contention, the upcoming matches will still serve as a way for them to end the tournament on a solid note.
With that in mind, check out how the penultimate week of the elimination round of Season 86 is looking like.
April 17, 2024 (Wednesday)
De La Salle vs. Adamson (2:00 p.m.)
Following their four-set defeat against National University on Sunday, the Lady Spikers will look to bounce back in a big way against the Lady Falcons.
Adamson is coming off an emotional win against the University of the Philippines and will look to avenge its opening-day loss against La Salle in round 1.
Whether or not Angel Canino will finally play for DLSU again remains to be seen.
[ALSO READ: Will Angel Canino play against NU? Reigning UAAP MVP spotted without arm sling and cast while supporting Green Spikers]
UE vs. FEU (4:00 p.m.)
The Lady Tamaraws are officially in the Final Four—but they are not done just yet.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: After UST victory, Jean Asis confident of FEU's chances against other higher-seeded teams]
With momentum on the team's side, FEU will look to continue its winning streak as the Lady Tamaraws face the Casiey Dongallo-led UE.
The Lady Warriors, meanwhile, will try to get back on track after falling to Ateneo de Manila University in four sets on Sunday.
April 20, 2024 (Saturday)
FEU vs. UP (2:00 p.m.)
Should the Lady Tamaraws grab the win against the Lady Warriors, expect FEU to go all out once more in their match against the Fighting Maroons as they look to build for confidence heading into the Final Four.
UP, on the other hand, looks to play spoiler in FEU’s twice-to-beat bonus hopes by securing its second win in the season.
Adamson vs. NU (4:00 p.m.)
The goal is clear for the Lady Bulldogs—secure the twice-to-beat advantage.
NU will try to keep its unbeaten record so far in the second round as the Lady Bulldogs face Adamson, who look to improve its record in the season further.
April 21, 2024 (Sunday)
UE vs. UST (2:00 p.m.)
The Golden Tigresses will have just over a week to recover and prepare for their second-to-the-last match in the elimination round.
UST will look to avenge its loss to FEU as the Golden Tigresses face the young UE squad. A win would definitely go a long way towards UST taking a twice-to-beat advantage.
De La Salle vs. Ateneo (4:00 p.m.)
And to end the UAAP week, it will be the long-time rivals matching up with Lady Spikers going up against the Blue Eagles.
While La Salle has had Ateneo’s number for the past years, not having Angel Canino could give the Blue Eagles a chance at finally ending their 13-game losing skid against their rivals.
[ALSO READ: Asserting dominance: A look back at La Salle’s 13-game winning streak over Ateneo]
But with a twice-to-beat advantage on the line, expect the Ramil De Jesus-led Lady Spikers to clean up their mistakes heading into their match against the Blue Eagles.