TOP PLAYER. National University's Michaela Belen (No. 4) scores against La Salle's Thea Allison Gagate (No. 3) in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on April 14, 2024. Belen is among the top players in the Lady Bulldogs roster. (UAAP photo)
MANILA – The National University hopes to keep its winning form when it plays Adamson University on Saturday in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Lady Bulldogs will meet the Lady Falcons at 4 p.m., aiming for a victory that would assure them of a playoff for the twice-to-beat incentive in the semifinal round.
NU, on top of the standings with defending champion De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas at 10-2, will end its elimination round campaign against Far Eastern University on April 24.
The Lady Bulldogs came off with a 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-22 win over the Lady Green Spikers last Sunday.
Season 84 Rookie-MVP Michaela Belen said the mindset is always one game at a time.
"We don't think about the future. Kung ano ngayon, yun yung iniisip namin. Siguro yung championship, darating sa amin yan pag pagtrabahuan namin kasi naniniwala po ako na lahat ng pagod, lahat may kapalit (What is now, that's what we're thinking. Maybe the championship, that will come to us if we work hard because I believe that all the hard work will pay off)," she added.
Meanwhile, FEU (8-4) will battle University of the Philippines at 2 p.m.
FEU, back in the Final Four since UAAP Season 82 (2018-19), will try to win its last two assignments and hope that any of NU, De La Salle, and UST will remain at 10 wins to get a playoff for the twice-to-beat bonus.
In the men's division, FEU eyes win No. 12 against UP at 10 a.m.
Reigning champion NU, on the other hand, will square off with Adamson at 10 a.m. NU and La Salle are tied for second at 9-3 followed by UST (7-5). (PNA)
