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.

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Wednesday Vball Madness Preview: UP vs FEU (W)

Based on current standings, there are 5 teams battling out for the last 2 spots in the stepladder/semi-finals - NU, UP, UST, AdU, FEU. We will witness these 5 teams battle each other out in the last 3 elimination days of the season.

FEU routed the Lady Maroons in straight sets in their first round meeting - the Lady Tamaraws dominated in all skills, leaving UP to catch up in all departments. However, their previous match up was their first UAAP game this season. Considering this, a lot has happened to both teams after 11 more matches for each. Although they are seemingly tied in most aspects, UP has improved on their attacks, most of which can be attributed to team captain Nicole Tiamzon's efforts. However, detrimental to their improvement is their inconsistency, particularly in the service department - they should limit their service faults to less than 2 faults per set if they want to win the game. For FEU specifically, when their errors started to overshadow their offensive numbers, they lose their games - this means they work double time to simultaneously create points and erode them with their own errors. If FEU wants to win, they need to limit their errors.

UP - keys to the match:

• Service faults should be less than 2 faults/set
• More than 1/3 of their attack attempts should be successfully converted

FEU - keys to the match:

• Receive the ball well - do not allow opponent to score more than 2 aces/set
• Unforced errors should not be more than half of the team's point production (in atks, blks, and aces)

Prediction: UP in 3-4 sets

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