Final Four race in UAAP women’s volleyball heats up

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 12) — The UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament is approaching the tailend of the elimination round.

If La Salle, UP or either FEU or UST end up in a three-way logjam at 8-6, the team with the highest quotient will get the third seed, while the two other squads will battle in a rubber match for the last semis seat.

This means the race for a Final Four slot is tighter than ever.

One team is already assured of a spot in the semifinals — the Ateneo Lady Eagles.

While four other squads will vie for the remaining playoffs seats — De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses, Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, and University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons.

1. Ateneo

The Lady Eagles are marching to their 10th straight postseason appearance after winning 10 consecutive games. The Katipunan-based squad will next face the only team who defeated them so far this season, DLSU Lady Spikers, on April 13. A win will give Ateneo the first twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four.

The Lady Eagles will also battle cellar-dweller Adamson Lady Falcons and University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors on April 24 and 28, respectively.

2. La Salle

The Lady Spikers currently occupy solo second with an 8-3 win-loss record. For DLSU to clinch its 11th straight postseason appearance, it needs to win one of its last three matches against Ateneo (April 13), UE (April 24), and FEU (April 28) .

Meanwhile, La Salle must sweep all its remaining assignments to secure the twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four.

A loss by the Lady Spikers in their remaining outings could put their bid for a twice-to-beat edge in danger in case of a two-way tie at 10-4 with either UST or FEU. If this happens, La Salle will have to go to a playoff for a twice-to-beat semis bonus.

Dropping two in their last three games will put the Lady Spikers in a difficult place to nab a Final Four incentive.

3. UST and FEU

The Golden Tigresses and Lady Tamaraws are tied at the third spot with an identical 8-4 slate. Their meeting on Sunday will be a crucial contest as it will strengthen their quest for a twice-to-beat advantage.

UST can snag the second seed if it sweeps its last pair of assignments – FEU (April 14) and National University (April 27) – and La Salle drops two of its last three games.

For FEU to take the semis bonus, it needs to beat UST and DLSU, and the Lady Spikers end up with a 9-5 record.

4. UP

The Lady Maroons will have to take the toughest road to the semis.

With a 6-6 record, UP must sweep its remaining matches – National University on April 14 and Adamson on April 27. Even if they win both games, their Final Four fate is not in their hands as they must hope La Salle, FEU and UST will end up with an 8-6 record to force a playoff for the last semifinals spot.

UP will be out of contention if the Lady Spikers, Golden Tigresses, and Lady Tamaraws all win nine games.

Tiebreaker scenarios:

Three-way tie at #1-3

In case three squads (Ateneo, La Salle and either UST or FEU) end up with a record of 10-4, the team with the highest quotient will grab the top seed, while the other two schools will have a playoff match for the second spot.

Three-way tie at #2-4

If La Salle, UST, and FEU end up in a three-way tie at 9-5 at the second to fourth spot, the top two teams with the highest quotients will battle in a playoff game for second seed.

The team with the lowest quotient, meanwhile, will settle for fourth seed.

Two-way tie or three-way at #3-5

In case of a two-way tie at 8-6, there will be a playoff match for the fourth spot.