GAMES SUNDAY
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
1 p.m. – NU vs. FEU (M)
5 p.m. – NU vs. La Salle (W)
DETERMINED more than ever to bring pride and honor to their schools, an epic showdown is expected between reigning champion National University and gutsy De La Salle University for the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
The two squads clash in Game 1 of their best-of-three title battle this Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Spikers are clashing for the third time in four consecutive seasons, even as National U is on the hunt for its first-ever back-to-back title.
NU and La Salle started their rivalry back in Season 84 in 2022, when the Sampaloc-based crew took home the title, ending a 65-year title drought. The following season, however, the green-and-white squad from Taft got its revenge and claimed its 12th overall title.
Reigning Most Valuable Player and Lady Bulldogs skipper Bella Belen knows that championships are not handed on a silver platter, reiterating that all boils down to who is more eager to take the crown.
“Pagdating ng finals, back to zero naiyongmagiginggalaw ng team, so kung sinoiyongpinakagustongmanalo, iyoniyongmananalo,” Belen, a two-time league MVP, said as NU vies for its fifth overall championship.
“Kami, kailangan, mag-recover munaiyongkatawankasimedyopukpukaniyong game [in the semifinals]. Balikmuna kami sa drawing board sa kung anoiyongdapat pa naming gawin at kung ano pa iyong mga pwedengi-improve coming sa finals,” she added.
NU veteran opposite hitter Alyssa Solomon agreed, saying, “Sa Finals, all out natalaga. Kung sinoiyong mas gustongibigayiyonglahat, siya iyongmananalo. So, siguroganunnalangiyongtitingnankosa finals.”
Team captain Angel Canino and the rest of the Lady Spikers are out to show why the Ramil De Jesus-mentored squad has been a prominent contender for decades.
La Salle is in its 21st finals appearance and is eyeing its 13th overall crown.
“Ako, ay start with pride. I think pinakaimportante din talaganapapuntang Finals, kailangansa mga players ng La Salle iyong pride daladalanila. Kasi part of the legacy din ni coach Ramiliyonnanabuona over the years, nanaging coach si coach Ramil” said Canino, the Season 85 MVP.
Graduating outside spikerAlleiahMalaluan said the Lady Spikers should focus on their mentality, aside from skills, and show their grit and mettle in the high-stakes duel.
“Siguro experience ko from those [past] seasons– kasi volleyball is evolving. Parangiyong mental nalang, and katapangan inside the court kasidoon nag-uumpisaanglahat. Once kalmadoka, and once may kumpiyansaka… ayun, iyon din iyong gusto ko ma-share sakanila, para stable kaminglahat,” she said.
In the men’s division, five-peat seeking NU Bulldogs look to protect the throne against title-hungry FEU Tamaraws at 1 p.m. on Sunday also at the Big Dome.
