GAMES SATURDAY
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. – NU vs. FEU
6 p.m. – UST vs. DLSU
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas tries to live for another day when it battles De La Salle University on Saturday as Final Four action in the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament starts at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The third-ranked Golden Tigresses, last season’s runner-up, will go into the match at 6 p.m. needing to win to negate the Lady Spikers’ twice-to-beat edge in their semis showdown.
In a preview of their Final Four duel, the Lady Spikers emerged victorious last Wednesday, scoring 23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 29-27 win in their playoffs for the No. 2 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
UST head tactician Kungfu Reyes said the Golden Tigresses should learn their lesson and bounce back to make their finals comeback hopes possible.
The veteran mentor said the Espana-based crew should be ready for whatever La Salle throws at them, either in attacks, getting through the Lady Spikers’ towering blocks, service and defense.
“Iyan ang takeaway namin this time na kailangan naming mag-overachieve by Saturday otherwise magse-settle na kami sa bronze. Nasa kamay namin lahat ng adjustment, lahat ng possible correction na pwede namin bitbitin papunta sa game on Saturday,” Reyes said.
“The game itself, everybody’s game. Hindi pangit iyong nilaro naming, talagang may kulang lang. Hindi lang tumapat sa amin this time pero iyong mga kulang na iyon, iyon ang tatrabahuhin namin [for Saturday] dun pa lang talaga magsisimula ang Final Four. So andun kami sa side ng twice-to-beat [disadvantage] ng La Salle so kailangan lang namin manalo muna ng Sabado para at least meron kaming Game 2 (semifinals),” he said.
Ace spiker Angge Poyos, last season’s Rookie of the Year, said the Golden Tigresses should not waste any opportunities as they try to prove their real worth.
“Talagang mas magtitiwala kami sa sarili namin, sa kakayanan namin, this Saturday dahil do-or-die [for us]. Ilalabas talaga namin, kumbaga, all out na, iyong kumpiyansa sa sarili. Hindi mawawala iyon at iyong winning mentality sana magkaron kami nun this Saturday, para ma-extend pa namin iyong series at makapasok kami sa Finals,” Poyos added.
