La Salle’s Michelle Gumabao and Aby Marano goes up to block Carmina Aganon of National University in the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Final Four on Saturday. (FCF / Andrew Pamorada)

For the second straight year, it’s the green clashing against the blue for the UAAP women’s volleyball championship.

De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila survived respective scares before disposing of their respective Final Four foes in straight sets before 12,274 paying patrons at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Saturday.

The green-clad Lady Spikers went down by as much as four points during the midway point of the second set, but turned on the heat and completed the comeback, thanks to timely plays by veterans Mika Reyes, Ara Galang, Michelle Gumabao, and captain Aby Marano.

Galang and Reyes, both in their second year of eligibility, scored 15 and 14 points respectively. Marano contributed 11 points for their cause.

Dindin Santiago, who kept the Lady Bulldogs above water despite faltering in the third set, led the way for all scorers with 16 of her 19 points on attacks.

“Basta kami nagpa-practice, pinaghahandaan namin every season,” said La Salle head coach Ramil De Jesus when asked about their team making their fifth-straight women’s volleyball tournament finals.

In the other semi-final pairing, the Lady Eagles survived a very intense challenge by Adamson before eventually completing a clean sweep.

Alyssa Valdez put up 22 markers with 20 on attacks, while graduating captain Dzi Gervacio connected 9 of her 10 points on attacks.

“Prior to the game I told them na very good team din ang Adamson in terms of defense,” said head coach Roger Gorayeb. “Huwag ninyong pababayaang lumaki ang lamang kasi mahihirapan kaming humabol ng humabol.”

“Nagpapasalamat ako kahit limitado ang player namin, nakaabot kami sa finals,” noted the fiery mentor.

Pau Soriano, who played in her final game in an Adamson uniform, scored 17 points in a losing effort.

In the men’s draw, National University and Far Eastern University cemented their title showdown earlier in the day.

The Bulldogs dispatched of Adamson University in four sets (25-22, 22-25, 25-19, 25-20), while Far Eastern University blanked De La Salle University (25-23, 25-21, 25-13).

Game 1 of the Finals in both divisions commence on March 2 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

COMPLETE RESULTS
Women’s
(1) DLSU def. (4) NU, 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-18)
(2) ADMU def. (3) AdU, 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 26-24)

Men’s
(1) NU def. (4) AdU, 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-19, 25-20)
(2) FEU def. (3) DLSU, 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-13)