Uaap Live: who has the edge

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)3 p.m. — NU vs USTWill University of Santo Tomas (UST) continue to write another chapter in its fairytale run or will Nationa. Uaap Live has emerged this Saturday as one of the stories drawing attention in Philippines.

Key facts

• (Smart Araneta Coliseum)3 p.m. — NU vs USTWill University of Santo Tomas (UST) continue to write another chapter in its fairytale run or will Nationa.
• 2-ranked Lady Bulldogs collide one last time in the final phase of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament stepladder semifinals Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
• Will University of Santo Tomas (UST) continue to write another chapter in its fairytale run or will National University’s (NU) desire to draw closer to a three-peat prevail?
• Graduating libero and UST skipper Detdet Pepito vows UST will give its all to stay alive and will not allow this game to be her last wearing the Tigresses black and gold.
• And, I know also that these girls are so much stronger from their first game here in UAAP.

What we know

Going deeper, 2-ranked Lady Bulldogs collide one last time in the final phase of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament stepladder semifinals Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

On the substance, Will University of Santo Tomas (UST) continue to write another chapter in its fairytale run or will National University’s (NU) desire to draw closer to a three-peat prevail?

Beyond the headlines, Graduating libero and UST skipper Detdet Pepito vows UST will give its all to stay alive and will not allow this game to be her last wearing the Tigresses black and gold.

More precisely, And, I know also that these girls are so much stronger from their first game here in UAAP.

It is worth noting that all eyes will be on the two proud schools’ third and most important 3 p.m. meeting, with the last seat in the finals at stake.

By the numbers

At this stage, Already waiting in the best-of-three championship series starting 6 May is unbeaten De La Salle University.

On a related note, NU has the advantage of rest and longer preparation after drawing a bye in the first stepladder format since the Lady Bulldogs won it all in 2022.

Going deeper, these factors could play a major role in the rematch of the Season 86 finals protagonists.

On the substance, UST had to battle Far Eastern University in a playoff for the last semis seat a week ago before blasting third-seeded presumptive Most Valuable Player Shaina Nitura-led Adamson University, 25-16, 25-18, 25-19, last Wednesday.

What they're saying

“You know, they’re still fighting to defend the championship, not just for themselves, but also for the community and for their Ates who graduated,” Diego said.

The wider context

On a related note, Knowing NU, we all know how fierce they are,” said Tigresses head coach Shaq delos Santos, who was the architect of the school’s last championship 16 years ago.

Going deeper, the Lady Bulldogs also have a psychological edge, having beaten the Tigresses, 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 26-24, in the first round and in their elims rematch in a spirited comeback, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-13, last 22 April.

On the substance, Only one team will have its wish fulfilled when the fourth-seeded Golden Tigresses and No.

Beyond the headlines, But momentum could be UST’s biggest weapon after going through two do-or-die games that not only tested the Tigresses character but also allowed them to gather steam heading into another win-or-go-home situation.

More precisely, Delos Santos hopes UST will be able to change the narrative after falling short against the Lady Bulldogs in their two elimination round meetings, including a sorry five-setter two weeks ago that sent the Tigresses into a playoff with the Lady Tamaraws.

The bottom line

• All eyes will be on the two proud schools’ third and most important 3 p.m. meeting, with the last seat in the finals at stake.
• These factors could play a major role in the rematch of the Season 86 finals protagonists.
• The Lady Bulldogs also have a psychological edge, having beaten the Tigresses, 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 26-24, in the first round and in their elims rematch in a spirited comeback, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-13, last 22 April.