BY ABBY TORALBA
DEFENDING champion La Salle kicks off its title-retention bid when it faces Adamson University tomorrow as the 86th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament gets going at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The match is set at 4 o’clock after Ateneo faces University of the East in the curtain-raiser at 2 o’clock.
The Lady Spikers are expected to bank on reigning MVP Angel Canino, Best Middle Blocker Thea Gagate, sophomore Shevana Laput and newly minted skipper Julia Coronel.
La Salle lost former team captain and finals MVP Mars Alba, Jolina Dela Cruz, Fifi Sharma and Justine Jazareno after they graduated and opted to turn pro.
“Actually, iyon iyong laging pinapaalala sa amin ni coach mas mahirap ngayong season kasi kami iyong defending champion unlike before na kami iyong naghahabol, kami ngayon iyong hinahabol ng lahat ng teams napakahirap tapos marami pang nawala,” Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo said.
“Although, nag-prepare naman kami, tignan na lang natin pagdating ng laro kung ano iyong na-improve nila sa preparation namin,” he added.
The Lady Falcons will have a new coach in JP Yude and rookies Red Bascon, Angelica Alcantara and transferee Barbie Jamili.
Former skipper Louie Romero, Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, Apryl Tagsip, Rizza Cruz, and Cae Lazo will no longer be around. Adamson will rely on open hitter Lucille Almonte, Antonette Adolfo, May Ann Nique, and Ayesha Juegos.
“Sobrang laki po (role) kasi isa ako sa mga naiwan from last season. Kailangan ko talaga mag-step up at kailangan ko talagang i-guide nang maayos iyong team,” Almonte said.
“Sobrang blessed naman ako dahil andito iyong mga coaches ko para i-guide ako.”
