BY ABBY TORALBA
IT will not be a walk in the park but reigning champion La Salle is still the team to beat in the 86th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament kicking off this Saturday, Feb. 17.
The Lady Spikers will be bannered by reigning MVP and sophomore open hitter Angel Canino after the departure of former aces Jolina Dela Cruz, Mars Alba, Fifi Sharma, and Justine Jazareno.
The green and white side dethroned National University last season.
“For us sa team naman namin, we’re making sure na lagi naming sinasabi na huwag tayong makuntento na nag-champion tayo (last season),” La Salle deputy coach Noel Orcullo said yesterday during the league’s season launch at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
“Tapos na iyon, we have to face the new season, so we have to prepare na double time kasi we are the defending champions.
“All the teams are after us so mas mahirap mag-defend ng championship kaysa ikaw iyong hahabol sa nag-champion,” he added.
Aside from Canino, the likes of veteran middle blocker Thea Gagate, skipper Julia Coronel, sophomore opposite spiker Shevana Laput will be counted upon by the Lady Spikers to deliver in their title-retention drive.
La Salle ruled the Shakey’s Super League National Invitational title and toughened up via a training camp in Thailand last month.
On the men’s side, graduating Joshua Retamar and Nico Almendras and rookie Jade Disquitado will spearhead National University’s four-pear bid.
