Romwel Anzures

National University in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball stepladder semifinals against University of Santo Tomas. UAAP Media.

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ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777969488624UAAP 88 WVB F4 UST vs. NU- NU-1861.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>National University in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball stepladder semifinals against University of Santo Tomas. UAAP Media.MANILA — Two proud programs are set for a much-anticipated rematch as National University and De La Salle University battle for UAAP women’s volleyball supremacy for the second straight year.</div>The three-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs are looking to become the first team since, coincidentally, the Lady Spikers in the mid-2010s to win three straight championships. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2026/5/2/uaap-national-u-ousts-ust-sets-up-finals-rematch-vs-la-salle-1733">READ: National U ousts UST, sets up Finals rematch vs. La Salle</a></div>But standing in their way is a La Salle side that has yet to lose a match in Season 88.The spikers from Jhocson Street are also winless against the Lady Spikers this year, but the Lady Bulldogs are banking on their championship poise, which has allowed them to secure the second seed despite the departure of Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon to the professional ranks.“The only way we could beat La Salle is to be together,” said first-year NU coach Regine Diego, who has gone through a number of adversities before the Lady Bulldogs secured their spot in the Finals.Among the criticisms Diego received earlier in the year were her rotations, particularly her decision to initially use veteran playmaker Camilla Lamina sparingly while giving Abe Pono more minutes.While this created outside noise throughout their campaign, Diego eventually found the right formula, allowing NU to win four of its last five elimination round matches and return to the Finals by overcoming University of Santo Tomas in the stepladder semifinals in four sets.“If it’s not us being together, we’re not going to make it,” she said. “It was a big challenge for us, and it hasn’t been easy. But those experiences made us stronger kasi napagdaanan na namin yun.”Aside from what Diego and the Lady Bulldogs have built in their first year together, the former F2 Logistics head coach is also banking on familiarity to finally solve the La Salle puzzle.During her collegiate years, Diego served as a libero for the Lady Spikers, helping long-time La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus win multiple championships during their time together.Which is why, while outsmarting and outcoaching her former mentor may be a tall order, Diego is still looking to take advantage of the lessons she learned from De Jesus and turn them into glory for National U.“It’s always about discipline with coach Ramil. Hopefully, ma-out-discipline ko siya,” she said. “And hopefully, I get to be at par with him because he will always be an inspiration for me,” she said. “I know it will be very hard, but papakita namin sa kanya na kaya namin.”“Siya yung unang nagsabi na pwede ako mag-coach, and now I’m here, so hopefully, proud din siya sa akin,” added Diego.Game 1 of the NU-La Salle best-of-three affair is on Wednesday, May 6, 5:00 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

“The only way we could beat La Salle is to be together,” said first-year NU coach Regine Diego.

“The only way we could beat La Salle is to be together,” said first-year NU coach Regine Diego.

UAAP: Dynasty, destiny on the line as National U eyes historic three-peat

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UAAP: Dynasty, destiny on the line as National U eyes historic three-peat

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 05, 2026 08:35 PM PHT

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UAAP Season 88

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Ramil de Jesus

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