Rappler Preview: La Salle, NU take on eliminated foes

NU Lady Bulldogs (7-6) vs FEU Lady Tamaraws (6-7)

When they last met… The National University Lady Bulldogs cruised to a straight-set victory over the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 25-11, 25-17, 28-16 behind Din-din Santiago and Myla Pablo’s stellar showing.

Rookie Aiko Urdas also gave a good account of herself, chipping in 11 points to help the Sampaloc-based Lady Bulldogs past the Lady Tamaraws in a runaway fashion, spoling the debut of returning head coach Kid Santos.

Why this game is important…

For NU: This season’s UAAP host hopes to stay alive in the Final Four race as it goes up against the also-ran Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws.

If National U wins in Saturday’s game and UST loses to Ateneo on Sunday, then there will be a playoff for the last Final Four berth but if the Lady Bulldogs lose to the Lady Tams, NU kisses its Final Four hopes goodbye.

For FEU: After seeing their rollercoaster season evaporated into thin air in Wednesday’s sorry loss to UST, the Lady Tamaraws will try to play the spoiler role over their first round tormentors and end the season on a winning note.

X-factor

For NU: Despite its win over the Adamson Lady Falcons, promising sophomore Myla Pablo has not shown her deadly form in the past matches that won games for NU early in the season. The Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac native’s offense is badly needed by the Lady Bulldogs as they try to keep their Final Four bid alive.

For FEU: Wenneth Eulalio. In what could be her last game donning the Green and Gold, expect Eulalio to go all out, all heart in spoiling NU’s bid for a Final Four seat.

And the winner is… NU finally proved that it can win a crucial games after trouncing Adamson last Wednesday, but this one is more important and it remains to be seen whether their talent will be enough to pull past FEU. NU in four sets

DLSU Lady Spikers (12-1) vs UE Lady Warriors (0-13)

When they last met… The vaunted De La Salle University Lady Spikers bludgeoned hapless University of the East Lady Warriors, 25-19, 25-20, 25-18 with sophomore Ara Galang firing a game-high 16 points.

Reigning league MVP Abi Maraño and Mika Reyes added 14 and 11 markers, respectively. The lopsided victory over the moribund Lady Warriors was the ninth straight win of the streaking and ‘three-peat-seeking’ Lady Spikers.

 

Why this game is important…

For La Salle: ‘A no-bearing’ game for the Lady Spikers, La Salle just want to go the post-season with a win that will give them momentum and take away any semblance of rust as they gear up for a shot at a ‘three-peat.’

For UE: The Lady Warriors— who struggled all-season long wants to salvage some measure of pride going into Season 76. With their season already in tatters, UE tries to avoid going winless.

X-factor

For La Salle: Michele Gumabao. It’s pretty tough to pick an x-factor for this powerhouse La Salle six. But it’s got to be Gumabao. The comely blocker needs to help her much-ballyhooed teammates and contribute both on offense and defense for La Salle to win over UE.

For UE: Faith Bulan. A superb showing by Bulan in Saturday’s game might be a good season ender for her and for the Lady Warriors mired in another doomed season. Team captain Leuseht Dawis and Shiesa Nebrida would be there to carry to fight for UE but Bulan must show up.

And the winner is… There’s no stopping La Salle right now. The Lady Spikers are too good for the embattled Lady Warriors, especially that the girls of bemedalled La Salle head coach Ramil De Jesus are peaking at the right time. La Salle in three sets.