Lady Tams, Maroons clash for playoff seat

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U and University of the Philippines collide today in an all-out war to save their respective Final Four bids in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament at Filoil Flying V Center.

Locked in a three-way logjam for fourth with idle National U with 7-6 records, the Lady Tams and the Lady Maroons put everything on the line as they dispute that precious eighth victory at 4 p.m.

It will be a win-or-go-home affair for the two teams with the victor securing at least a playoff for a semis berth and the loser taking an early vacation.

“We have to give it our all and work hard to win this. We’re treating this as if this were the last game of our lives,” said FEU veteran Remy Palma.

The Lady Tams have revived their sagging semis hopes by beating NU last Saturday, 25-21, 25-21, 25-22.

On the other hand, the Lady Maroons were stymied by their 20-25, 21-25, 16-25 setback to University of Santo Tomas last Sunday. Because of this result, it’s the Tigresses (8-5) who rose to No. 3 and assured of a playoff for a semis berth.

“There’s no time for dramatics after that loss. We only have two days to prepare (for FEU),” said UP’s Diana Carlos. “We should have the desire to win it on Wednesday (today) and execute our plays.”

Serving as curtain-raiser to the no-tomorrow match between FEU and UP is the battle for pride between bottom-dwelling teams University of the East (1-12) and Adamson University (0-13) at 2 p.m.

 The Lady Warriors hope to duplicate their four-set conquest of the Lady Falcons in the first round to end their season on a bright note.

In the men’s division, UP (5-8) seeks to keep its slim Final Four hopes alive against also-ran Adamson University (4-9) at 10 a.m.