PASAY CITY, Philippines — The modern-day queens of Philippine collegiate volleyball are back at center stage. The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers and the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs are set to begin their highly anticipated best-of-three championship series for the UAAP Season 88 title on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
Game 1 is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena, serving as a high-stakes rematch of a rivalry that has dominated the league for the last five seasons.
La Salle enters the Finals with an aura of invincibility. After a dominant elimination round where they went 14-0, the Lady Spikers earned an outright Finals berth—their first sweep since Season 74. Led by superstar Angel Canino, along with Shevana Laput and breakout star Shane Reterta, the Taft-based squad is determined to reclaim the throne they last held in Season 85.
Standing in their way is a resilient NU squad aiming for a historic three-peat. Despite losing core veterans to the professional ranks, the Lady Bulldogs have showcased incredible depth. To reach the Finals, they survived a grueling stepladder semifinal against UST, proving their championship poise remains intact under head coach Regine Diego.
- The “Coach Ramil” Legacy: Head coach Ramil De Jesus is chasing his 13th UAAP title, further cementing his status as the winningest coach in league history.
- Health Concerns for NU: The Lady Bulldogs are monitoring the status of rookie Sam Cantada, who suffered a foot injury during the semifinals. Her availability could be a turning point for the series.
- Battle at the Net: Expect a tactical masterclass in blocking and floor defense, as both teams ranked at the top of the league’s defensive categories this season.
The volleyball double-header begins earlier in the day at 12:00 p.m., as the FEU Tamaraws face off against the NU Bulldogs in Game 1 of the Men’s Finals. NU is looking to maintain its dynasty in the men’s division, while top-seeded FEU aims to end a long title drought.
As the Mall of Asia Arena prepares for a sell-out crowd, fans are bracing for a Wednesday full of high-flying spikes and defensive gems that will define the legacy of Season 88.