Lady Falcons, Blue Eagles clash in KO playoff  

MANILA, Philippines — Adamson and Ateneo collide in a sudden death today with the winner booking a ticket to the stepladder Final Four of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The highly-anticipated win-or-go-home clash between the two teams, which closed out the elims tied at 8-6, takes place at 5 p.m. At stake is the last Final Four slot and the right to face third-seeded Santo Tomas.

Then up next is the showdown with No. 2 seed and twice-to-beat La Salle.

National University completed a sweep of the elims and clinched an automatic slot to the finals, turning the Final Four into a stepladder among the next three teams.

And with little to no rest, it’s all or nothing for Adamson and Ateneo, both raring to stay in title contention.

“Sobrang emotional kasi hindi biro ‘yung pinaghirapan namin. Lahat may sakripisyo. Malinaw na ‘yung daan papunta sa Final Four pero kailangan pa naming mag-trabaho uli sa isang game, at itong playoff ‘yun,” said coach Lerma Giron.

Needing a win against a formidable La Salle team to secure at least a playoff for the No. 4 seed, Adamson pulled off a stunning 25-23, 17-25, 25-16, 26-24 win.

Ateneo then followed suit and defeated an ousted University of the Philippines, 19-25, 25-11, 25-18, 25-19, to arrange a knockout game with Adamson.