The Cebu-based squad lost the battle for the No. 2 spot in the quarterfinal round to Lyceum when it bowed to Ateneo, 21-25, 25-23, 21-25, 13-25, last Friday, dropping to 2-2 heading into the final day of the single round phase.

The Pirates, on the other hand, foiled the Bacolod spikers, 25-16, 18-25, 25-23, 25-10, also Friday to finish second behind the Eagles (5-0) with a 4-1 card.

But USJ-R could force a playoff for the last semis seat with a victory over USLS in their 2 p.m. encounter via the league’s 3-of-5 incentive rule, giving a team which wins three of its five games in the quarters a crack at the last semis berth.

The playoff will be held on Tuesday, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

Genie Sabas and Julett Mae Marikit will spearhead USJ-R’s bid in the all-important outing for the reigning champions of the Cebu School Athletics Federation, Inc. (CESAFI) with support to come from guest player Mechell Matuguina, Cristy Aina Laroga, Mary Joy Bonita and Avegale Getuaban.

But expect the USLS spikers, despite out of it all with a 1-3 slate, to come out fighting as they hope to try out in style in the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Active White skin whitening products, Mail and More, ICT Call Center, 100Plus Energy Drink, Mikasa and Accel.

Players to watch for USLS are guest player Patty Orendain and mainstays Sheryl Silva, Kay Aplasca, Je-an Ledesma, Loverich Aplasca, Laedy Cepeda and Realyn Valeriano.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University and St. Benilde College close out their quarterfinal assignments in the 12 noon opener with the reigning UAAP champions, who could only churn out a lone win in four games, fancied to repeat over the winless Blazers.

The FEU-St. Benilde game will be shown on NBN-4 starting at 2 p.m. tomorrow (Monday) while the USJ-R-USLS faceoff will be aired on Tuesday.