MANILA, Philippines—For the first time since UAAP Season 76, the De La Salle Lady Spikers will finish the elimination round of the women's volleyball tournament as the No. 1 seed.

They clinched the top spot in the Final 4 with a 25-21, 25-15, 22-25, 25-18 triumph over Adamson University on Wednesday, hiking their record to 11-2 with just one game left on their schedule.

That game will be against their archrivals, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena. That match is more important for Ateneo than it is for La Salle. After all, the Lady Eagles, with their 9-4 record, must win the game in order to stay in the hunt for a twice-to-beat edge in the Final 4.

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La Salle, in contrast, is already assured of the semifinals bonus.

However, head coach Ramil de Jesus makes it clear that they are not in any way looking past Sunday's showdown against the Lady Eagles.

"Basta kami, dumating 'yung game, maglalaro," said de Jesus, who has steered La Salle to its 10th straight playoff appearance.

"No bearing or may bearing, basta ang importante, dumaan kami sa second round na sana maganda ang record. No loss sana in the second round."

He pointed out that the Lady Eagles cannot be taken lightly, even though they are coming off a shocking straight-sets loss at the hands of University of the Philippines.

"Ateneo kasi eh, 'yung sistema kasi ni (coach) Tai (Bundit), andoon 'yun," de Jesus said. "Hindi basta-basta mawawala 'yun."

"Kung ano man 'yung galawa, mag-palit man ng mga players, hindi mawawala 'yun," he stressed.

Thus, the Lady Spikers will treat Sunday's game against their rivals as they would any other contest, as if they have yet to secure the much-coveted bonus in the next round.

"Kung ano ang dadaanan namin, daanan namin," de Jesus said. "Bearing man or walang bearing, kailangan namin daanan."

"Morale boost na din kasi 'yun, para pagdating namin ng semis, confident 'yung mga bata."

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