NATIONAL U got a timely assist from Far Eastern University in booking the first ticket to the UAAP Season 87 Final Four.
The defending champions’ nine wins in ten matches can no longer be matched by current No. 5-seed University of the Philippines.
Following State U’s four-set loss to the Lady Tamaraws, the Fighting Maroons can only hit a maximum of eight wins with its 5-6 record.
READ: Lady Tams avenge first round loss to Fighting Maroons
At this rate, 11 is the ‘magic number’ for Final Four contenders to secure a twice-to-beat advantage.
The nine-win mark, meanwhile, is the Final Four-clinching benchmark.
National U can claim a playoff bonus first by taking down Adamson and University of the East in its next two matches.
How about the other three playoff berths?
La Salle, the second-seed at present at 8-3, only needs one more win to secure the second Final Four berth.
The Lady Spikers’ next assignment? UP, the same team whose loss led to NU clinching a Final Four spot first.
If third and fourth-seeded teams University of Santo Tomas and FEU — both at seven wins — hit the nine-win mark, the trio of UP, Ateneo, and Adamson will all be eliminated from the Final Four race.
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