DEFENDING champion La Salle seeks to rebound when it collides with also-ran Adamson today in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Whether reigning MVP Angel Canino will suit up for the Lady Spikers in the 2 p.m. showdown with the Lady Falcons has remain to be seen.

Canino missed the last two matches, including last Sunday’s 25-22, 23-25, 16-25, 22-25 loss to National University that crashed La Salle out of the top two spot.

University of Santo Tomas and the Lady Bulldogs are tied at 10-2, half-a-game ahead of the third-running Lady Spikers (9-2) in the chase for two twice-to-beat slots in the Final Foir.

La Salle has been struggling without Canino, having dragged by University of the East in five sets before prevailing prior to the defeat to NU.

Adamson’s morale is on a sky-high after breaking a six-game slump last Saturday against University of the Philippines, 25-17, 23-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-13.

Still, expect the Lady Spikers to show up and play with sense of urgency, especially that the Lady Falcons have nothing to play but pride.

After a third place finish last season, Adamson will miss the Final Four as it has only three wins to show in 11 matches.

Final Four-bound Far Eastern University squares off with slumping University of the East in the 4 p.m. 
mainer.

The Lady Tamaraws, who at 7-4 have clinched a semifinals spot with a stunning reversal of the Tigresses on Saturday, aim to build from that momentum to finish the elimination round strong heading into the Final Four.

“Malaking morale sa amin ito na makamit yung ganitong panalo. May remaining games pa kami na kailangang paghandaan so focus pa rin doon,” said FEU coach Manolo Refugia.

On the other hand, the Lady Warriors want to get out of a three-game spell and douse whatever hopes of the Lady Tamaraws to secure a twice-to-beat incentive.

In the men’s side, La Salle (8-3) shoots for a second straight Final Four berth against Adamson (4-7) at 10 a.m.

FEU, with a 10-1 card, guns for at least a playoff for a twice-to-beat edge when it tangles with 1-10 UE at 12 noon.