Defending champion Adamson battles upset-conscious University of the East in one of two semifinal matchups in the V-League Collegiate Challenge starting Wednesday, with the Lady Red Warriors knowing exactly the mammoth task they are facing.
‘It’s our fault that we are up against the defending champions,’ graduating captain-libero Angge Reyes said in Filipino, referring to their previous losses that made them qualify last and draw the top-seeded Lady Falcons in the Final Four.
‘But we are not satisfied [just making the semifinals],’ added Reyes. ‘We want to improve on our past performances every time. We can’t be satisfied.’
Game 1 of their best-of-three series will be at 10 a.m. at FilOil EcoOil Centre, before University of Santo Tomas and Arellano battle in the other semifinal at noon.
UE is making its third V-League semifinals appearance and is hoping to return to the podium after winning bronze in 2023 and 2024.
Van Bangayan, who erupted for 34 points against the Lady Chiefs, will lead the Lady Warriors alongside rookie Janessa Buhay, while Reyes provides the stability the team needs. Bangayan has scored at least 30 points in two games in the tournament.
Nigerian standout Frances Mordi, Joy Aseo and Third Tuddao have been solid for the Lady Falcons, who topped the preliminary round with a 6-1 record despite playing without ace Shai Nitura.
An appearance by Nitura, who suited up for Alas Pilipinas in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, at this stage remains possible.
The Tigresses, who are seeking to reclaim the title they won in 2024, lost to the Lady Chiefs in five sets during the preliminary round.
After finishing second in classification to draw the Tigresses, Arellano, the only team to beat Adamson in the tournament, is looking to improve on its fourth-place finish last year.
Reigning men’s champion Far Eastern University, which completed a seven-match sweep of the preliminary round, begins its best-of-three semifinal duel with NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde at 3 p.m.
UAAP powerhouse National University faces this year’s revelation, Letran, in the other men’s semifinal opener at 5 p.m.