GAMES TODAY
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
1 p.m. – La Salle vs. Atene
3 p.m. – UST vs. Adamson
LA Salle seeks to extend its domination of Ateneo as the two rivals press their respective Final Four bids today in the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Not only are the Lady Spikers eyeing to score a 16th straight victory against the Blue Eagles in the 1 p.m. match but also to solidify their hold of the second spot to bolster their bid for a twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four.
Ateneo, which last defeated La Salle 12-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-19in the second round on April 8, 2017, is eyeing to extend its winning run to three matches and try to stay within the Final Four range.
University of Santo Tomas, barely hanging in the No. 4 slot, faces Adamson University side which is trying to keep its Final Four hopes alive at 3 p.m.
The Lady Spikers hope to have a fully fit Angel Canino against the Blue Eagles after an injury scare last Saturday. Canino went down after an inadvertent knee to the head from ShevanaLaput early in the fourth set of their 15-25, 25-17, 24-26, 25-20, 16-14 conquest of the Tigresses.
With a 6-3 record, De La Salle is holding a half-a-game advantage of third-running Far Eastern University (6-4) in the race for the second twice-to-beat slot in the Final Four.
“Kami naman, kung sinonamanyungdadatingna game, sabinganamin after matalosa NU, ‘girls kalimutanniyona yan, one game at a time, isa-isahinnatin, kung sinoyungunangdadating, yunangpaghandaan, ganoon din namanang
gagawinnaminsaAteneo,” said coach Ramil de Jesus’ trusted assistant Noel Orcullo.
“Kung anoyungpaghahandangginagawanaminsamgalabannamin, ganoon pa rinyunggagawinnamin. Walakamingbabalewalain, tutok pa rin kung anoyungdapataralinsaAteneo kung paanonaminsilamapipigil,” he added.
The Blue Eagles are making a one big push to reach the Final Four after missing the bus in the last two seasons. Sporting a 4-5 record in sixth place, Ateneo is trailing a game behind UST in the race for the No. 4 spot.
Coming off a 25-23, 25-14, 25-23 sweep of the Lady Falcons, the Blue Eagles hope to make the most of their preparation against the Lady Spikers.
“When we know our team, it’s easy because we are able to focus on the opponent and we can prepare for the opponent. The big problem, when you need to fix a lot of things in our team, but now, I think our team understands pretty good. . . they’re confident, more emotional in our team,” said Ateneo coach Sergio Veloso.
