Redemption and rise: UE, NU, Ateneo, and FEU eye crucial UAAP Season 88 turning point

The middle stretch of UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball is shaping up to be less about early dominance and more about response. 

On Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, four teams will step onto the taraflex with heated passion to win. 

The 1 p.m. opener places the spotlight on opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. The UE Lady Warriors enter still chasing their first victory after a winless Season 87 campaign extended into this year. 

Their 18-game slide looms large, and their latest setback, a straight-sets defeat to the UST Golden Tigresses. Khy Cepada led UE with nine points in that outing, but the climb remains steep.

Across the net stand the defending champions, the NU Lady Bulldogs, who suddenly find themselves in unfamiliar territory.

Unbeaten through three matches, National University appeared headed for another routine win after taking a 2-0 lead over the UP Fighting Maroons last Saturday. Instead, they absorbed a stunning five-set reversal, 25-16, 25-16, 22-25, 29-31, 16-18, a result that snapped their winning streak.

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Here are the team standings in the #UAAPSeason88 Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Tournament after the games today, March 1, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.#StrengthInMotionHopeInAction pic.twitter.com/uyO0iEIdrc

— The UAAP (@uaap_official) March 1, 2026

Now chasing a third straight championship, NU must recalibrate quickly. Rookie Sam Cantada remains doubtful after injuring her right shin, but veterans Arah Panique, Vange Alinsug, Chams Maaya, Alexa Mata, setter Lams Lamina, and Shaira Jardio are expected to anchor the bounce-back effort.

Meanwhile, the 3 p.m. match features two teams the Ateneo Lady Eagles and the FEU Lady Tamaraws.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles showed flashes of fight against unbeaten powerhouse De La Salle Lady Spikers, even snatching a set in a four-set defeat, 25-14, 21-25, 25-17, 25-17. 

It marked the first set La Salle conceded this season — a small but meaningful statement from a squad still hunting its first win. Under head coach Sergio Veloso, Ateneo is banking on that glimpse of competitiveness to finally translate into a breakthrough result.

Standing in their way are the FEU Lady Tamaraws, currently at 2-2 and locked in a crowded race for the upper half of the standings alongside UST and Adamson. 

FEU is coming off a morale-boosting four-set win over the Adamson Lady Falcons, 22-25, 31-28, 25-17, 25-20, a response to their own loss against NU.

As the second round of games inches closer, Wednesday’s twin bill is less about highlight plays and more about trajectory.

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