NATIONAL University takes on a familiar foe in an unfamiliar setting, taking on University of Santo Tomas without its head coach and two key players as action in the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge resumes today at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Bulldogs repulsed the Golden Spikers in the finals of this tournament and the UAAP last year with a full roster but they will set out for their 4 p.m. clash without coach Dante Alinsunurin and top hitter Nico Almendras and ace playmaker Owa Retamar.
“May mga bagay pa kami na kailangang ayusin, lalo na sa service. Ang importante ay masubukan ko ‘yung team namin kahit wala sila Owa (Retamar) at Nico (Almendras),” said Alinsunurin, who is in Vietnam for the VTV Cup campaign of PVL team Choco Mucho.
Retamar and Almendras have opted to take a break.
“Pinaghahandaan namin ‘yung possibility na mawala sila in the next few years. Kailangan ready kami sa bawat laro at bawat liga na sinasalihan namin,” said Alinsunurin.
The Bulldogs are out to score a follow-up to their 25-22, 25-22, 25-19 victory over Far Eastern U last Wednesday to match idle Perpetual Help’s 2-0 start in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
In contrast, UST is reeling from a 26-28, 25-18, 28-26, 25-21 defeat at the hands of De La Salle U last Friday.
Ateneo and San Beda U clash in the other men’s match at 2 o’clock, with the Blue Eagles likewise eyeing a second straight win in the tournament supported by Bola.TV, Beyond Active Wear, Asics and Mikasa.
The Loyola-based squad turned back Emilio Aguinaldo College 23-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-16 last Sunday, while the Red Spikers bowed to the Altas 14-25, 17-25, 22-25.
In women’s play, which is aired on Solar Sports, the V-League’s official website, and Bola.TV’s app, Far Eastern U battles Perpetual Help at 10 a.m. University of the East tangles with Mapua U at noon in a pair of inter-league showdowns.
Neighbors Lady Tams and Lady Warriors are coming off victories over the Lady Cards and the Enderun Lady Titans in straight-set fashions last Wednesday. But Mapua bounced back with a five-set reversal over Lyceum last Sunday while the Altas swept the Lady Stags last Friday.
