Action between National University and De La Salle University in the second round of the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament, March 23, 2025 at the Mall of Asia. UAAP Media
MANILA -- For the third time in four seasons, National University and De La Salle University are facing off to determine who is the best team in UAAP women's volleyball.
The NU Lady Bulldogs memorably swept the Lady Spikers in Season 84, capping off their perfect campaign in quite the style. The spikers from Taft returned the favor in Season 85, outlasting National U in a pair of five-set classics to annex their 12th crown.
La Salle missed out on the Season 86 Finals, bowing to University of Santo Tomas in the Final 4. They have made their way back to the championship stage in Season 87, however, and appear to be peaking at the right time.
Another electric showdown is thus expected when National U and La Salle open their best-of-3 affair for the Season 87 championship on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum, with opening serve scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
READ: National U completes reverse sweep vs. FEU to punch Finals ticket
READ: La Salle takes down UST, sets up Finals clash vs. National U
After denying the Lady Bulldogs a second straight championship in Season 85, Ramil de Jesus and the Lady Spikers are determined to repeat that feat this year.
"Kilala naman natin yung NU. Talagang since high school, magkakasama na yung mga yan. And then, talagang sobrang lalim nung experience nila sa isa't isa," said de Jesus.
"So, siguro sa amin, ano talagang paghandaan lang namin. And then, marami pa akong dapat i-ayos sa team, eh. So, siguro, kung may lalabas nila yung in-expect ko sa kanila, and makasabay kami, and magkaroon ng chance—at malaki ‘yung chance," he added.
The Lady Spikers gained a measure of revenge against UST in Season 87, ousting them in the Final 4.
De Jesus will once again lean on the prolific tandem of Angel Canino and Shevana Laput, while rookie playmaker Mikole Reyes will look to brush off jitters in her first Finals appearance.
Gunning for a first UAAP championship, Sherwin Meneses, a seven-time PVL champion coach for Creamline, wanted his team to be fit and healthy in the Finals series.
The Lady Bulldogs are eyeing to give reigning MVP Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon a fitting send-off before going to the next level, with crafty setter Lams Lamina orchestrating plays.
"Siyempre, yung advantage ng seniors na samin pero sabi ko nga sa kanila is kailangan malagpasan natin yung one week nating preparation na less injury, less na madisgrasya kahit papaano," said Meneses.
"Dapat healthy kami pagpasok ng finals para mas malaki yung chances na ma-defend yung crown. So yun nga, hindi pa tapos yung laban. Siguro talagang pagtatrabahuan muna namin na makuha-- ma-defend yung crown ng NU," he added.
National U swept their elimination round encounters against La Salle in Season 87.
READ: National U makes a statement sweep of La Salle to start title-retention campaign
READ: National U takes care of business against La Salle for 8th straight win
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