BY ABBY TORALBA
DEFENDING champion La Salle is leaving no stone unturned in its bid for a second straight title in the 86th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
The Lady Spikers, who will be led this year by reigning MVP Angel Canino, sophomore Shevana Laput and veterans Thea Gagate, Alleiah Malaluan and skipper Julia Coronel, flew to Thailand for a tourney set to begin next month.
The green-and-white crew had a friendly match with three-time Thailand League champion Supreme VC that was bannered by Thai veteran and retired national team ace Pleumjit Thinkaow.
The Lady Spikers scored a 25-23, 25-15, 25-22, 20-25, 15-10 victory.
La Salle will try to retain the crown it won against National University last year despite the departure of former team captain Mars Alba, Jolina Dela Cruz, Fifi Sharma and Justine Jazareno.
Back in August during the off-season, the Lady Spikers ruled the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals but skipped the league’s Preseason Championship held in September.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University also trained in Thailand.
The Morayta-based crew showed a promising pre-season, crashing the podium both in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge and SSL last year.
The Lady Tamaraws took home the silver medal in the V-League and then captured the bronze in the SSL.
Tin Ubaldo, along with Chenie Tagaod, Gerzel Petallo and incoming rookie Faida Bakanke are expected to show the way for FEU after a fifth-place finish last season.
