GAMES TODAY
(The Arena, San Juan)
12 p.m. – Perpetual vs. Mapua
2:30 p.m. – Letran vs. Lyceum
LETRAN stakes the solo lead when it battles dangerous Lyceum University today, Friday, as action heats up in the 100th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Both unscathed since the start of the second round last week, the Lady Knights test the mettle of the Lady Pirates in the match billed as the “Battle of Intramuros” at 2:30 p.m.
Letran goes into the match protecting its 10-2 slate while Lyceum is bidding to improve its 6-6 mark and climb up the leader board.
Clashing in the other match at noon are Perpetual and Mapua University, with both teams seeking to get back on track after painful defeats the last time out.
The Lady Altas have a 7-4 card, half-a-game ahead of the Lady Cardinals (7-5).
The Las Pinas-based crew will go into the match smarting from a 25-27, 23-25, 21-25 loss to the defending champion College of St. Benilde last Saturday.
Letran mentor Oliver Almadro said the Lady Knights should maintain their consistency moving forward and be prepared for any challenges along the way.
“We have to start it right. Wag mag-start slow. We tend to start slow, minsan naman overwhelmed tapos biglang tumitigil so we really have to study that. Mahabang season pa to, we have to be consistent. ‘Yun ang importante, we have to be consistent and pataasin pa iyong level kasi tumataas din iyong level ng NCAA,” Almadro said after Letran’s straight sets win over the EAC Lady Generals last Tuesday 25-21, 25-20, 25-18.
“Lahat ng kalaban dito sa NCAA, walang upset. It’s a matter of how you start and how you end it. Iyon iyong game ngayon dito sa NCAA.”
The Lady Knights will be led by Gia Maquilang, Vanessa Sarie and skipper Lara Silva as they shoot for their fourth consecutive win.
Lyceum is also aiming to keep its hot streak and post its fourth straight victory behind Johna Dolorito, Joan Doguna and team captain Venice Puzon.
The Lady Pirates are coming off a big win three days ago, a 25-16, 25-15, 27-29, 23-25, 15-10 victory over the Lady Altas.
The Lady Altas will heavily rely on Shaila Omipon, along with Winnie Bedana and Pauline Reyes while the Lady Cardinals will be led by Nicole Ong, Raissa Ricablanca and Freighanne Garcia.
