UAAPS77 Women’s Stepladder: UST vs FEU Playoff

Another season, another stepladder series in the Women's Division. This year, however, the 4th spot is tied between 2 teams, and so a playoff is needed before a knockout match vs NU will be completed. Then the winner will be facing twice-to-beat La Salle, then the defending champions Ateneo who is thrice-to beat. First off, let's check out how the UST-FEU playoff match will take place.

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Offense

Offense	UST	FEU
Spike	5	4	FEU
Atk Eff%	15%	16%
1stBall Off%	13%	11%
Serve	5	3	FEU
Ace per set	1.28	1.57
Fault/set	2.12	1.64
% Good Srv	90%	93%
Srv Eff %	-4%	0%
Set	3	6	UST
Exc Set /set	7.80	6.02
Off Eff %	72%	54%

FEU is currently in the the top 4 of both ranks in attacking and serving, registering an attack efficiency of 16% as well as a high good serve % of 93% (they commit service errors only 7% of the time). UST however has better setting, being the third best in the league, with 72% of their successful attacks coming off excellent plays from Alex Cabanos. Note that excellent plays are only good if the team is able to convert them, therefore UST's offense should not just be based attacks from plays but on all other possible avenues as well, such as service aces, which FEU is currently third best in the league. If FEU can keep up their attacking % as well as be aggressive on the serve, this will be for their benefit.

Defense

Defense	UST	FEU
Block	2	5	UST
Rebound %	33%	31%
Dig	3	5	UST
Digs per set	8.60	8.26
Dig Conv	23%	22%
Dig Rate %	83%	83%
Pass	5	6	UST
Pass Eff%	16%	13%
Adj Pass Eff%	84%	86%
Passing %	84%	85%

UST's main gun other than their playmaking will be their defense. On all defensive skills, they are on top of FEU, especially in blocking, where they are currently 2nd best in the league (behind La Salle). If they can improve on their passing skills this game (passing% very close to FEU), UST can handle FEU's serves, which will also let them set-up better plays for their attackers. FEU's very dismal defense is due to it mainly being handled by one person, star libero Tin Agno - FEU's other backrow players need to help and dig/receive the ball well enough for them to keep the play alive.

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Keys to the match:

UST

• Take advantage of their biggest edge over FEU which is blocking.
• Hustle on attacks and try to score the same amount as the opponent if not more. They need to be able to get points not just from blocks but on attacks as well.

UST	WON	LOST	AVE
PT DIFF/SET	4.08	-2.40	2.21
FROM OWN EFFORTS	4.57	-1.93	2.69
FROM ERRS	-0.49	-0.47	-0.48

FEU

• Service game should start strong, so that the opponent will have a harder time setting up better plays for their attackers.
• Be aggressive on all skills. FEU lost games in the eliminations due to their opponents' efforts in atks, blks and aces overwhelming FEU's own contributions. They should be able to score more on all offensive options as much as possible.

FEU	WON	LOST	AVE
PT DIFF/SET	0.88	-3.32	-1.89
FROM OWN EFFORTS	1.63	-4.16	-2.19
FROM ERRS	-0.75	0.84	0.30

Prediction: UST if they can overcome FEU's attacks with their own and be steady in their defense, both floor and net. Momentum is on the side of FEU however.