UAAP volleyball semis aspirants take Holy Week breather

MANILA, Philippines — Five squads take a short break for the Holy Week to reflect, rest, recharge, and then plot their attack as the race to the Final Four tightens to a grip in the last four games of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball.

Only unbeaten La Salle (10) so far has gained a passage to the Final Four with a bonus inside track to the twice-to-beat edge or an outright finals berth, leaving reigning champion National U in hot pursuit from the other chasers in a wild playoff jockeying.

The Lady Bulldogs sit at second entering the pause with a 7-3 slate, just a game in front of Adamson, Far Eastern University and University Santo Tomas at joint third with 6-4 slates.

University of the Philippines lurks at fifth with 4-6 record while the University of the East (0-10) and Ateneo (0-9) are already out of contention with still four games to play.

Only the Top Two teams will gain twice-to-beat incentives in the semifinals and only one is left up for grabs after La Salle’s quick entry.

And with only three days of pause, NU and Adamson go at it on Easter Sunday for a crucial encounter at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

UST, at home, is a favorite against UE on the same day.

La Salle will enjoy a longer break, looking to zero in on a two-round sweep against the spirited FEU while UP tries to stay in play against also-ran Ateneo on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The rest of the second-round schedule is yet to be released by the UAAP pending the Holy Week break.