Defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs hope to avoid of a repeat of their matchup last year when they face the FEU Lady Tamaraws in the Final Four of UAAP Season 87.
With a Finals berth within reach, Alyssa Solomon and the NU Lady Bulldogs look to make the most of their twice-to-beat advantage as they face a dangerous FEU Lady Tamaraws side in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball semifinals on Saturday, May 3, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The defending champions enter the Final Four as the top-seeded team after a strong 12-2 finish, but memories of last season’s scare—where the Lady Tamaraws forced a knockout match despite NU’s higher seed—loom large.
While the Lady Bulldogs swept FEU in the elimination round, both matches were far from walkovers, with FEU proving they have the tools to challenge the reigning UAAP queens.
Solomon, who has subtly hinted this will be her final collegiate season, will be at the forefront of NU’s title defense, seeking to string together a championship-clinching run starting with Saturday’s semis clash.
Backed by MVP frontrunner Bella Belen, the Lady Bulldogs are determined to avoid any complications and book a straight path to a second straight Finals appearance.
Meanwhile, Chenie Tagaod and the fourth-ranked Lady Tamaraws are relishing their underdog role, eyeing another upset to force a winner-take-all Game 2 on Wednesday.
FEU knows it will take a near-perfect effort to outlast NU, but with momentum and belief, the Lady Tams aim to turn the semifinal tide in their favor.
With stakes this high, expect a fierce and focused encounter between two proud programs hungry for a shot at the crown.
(With reports from Luisa Morales)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]