GAMES TODAY
(Mall of Asia Arena)
9 a.m. – La Salle vs. UST (M)
11 a.m. – Adamson vs. UE (M)
1 p.m. – Adamson vs. UE (W)
5 p.m. – La Salle vs. UST (W)
LA SALLE and University of Santo Tomas renew their long-standing rivalry as the two teams vie for a piece of second place today, Wednesday, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Tigresses may have been struggling without JonnaPerdido and XyzaGula, who played huge roles in last season’s runner-up finish, but the Lady Spikers are not taking their foes for granted.
The winner of the 5 p.m. match will join the idle University of the Philippines for the No. 2 spot at 2-1.
Defending champion National University became the only undefeated team after the first full week of action with a 3-0 card.
“Yung pagkakawalanungdalawang key players nila last year, malaking factor ‘yunperosabikongamalalimang bench ng UST eh. So maramisilangpwedengpaikutin. Hopefully, mapaghandaannamin and then at the same time makalaro kami nangmagandakapagnagharap kami” coach Ramil de Jesus said after De La Salle pulled off a 25-21, 26-24, 25-20 romp of Adamson University Saturday.
The Tigresses have split their first two matches and it has been challenging so far.
After dropping its season opener to Far Eastern University, UST scrambled past University of the East28-26, 22-25, 25-23, 25-15.
“A win is a win naman. Nakitanaminyungmga lapses pa rin, we will work on it at matanggalyung lapses na ‘yon… Maraming lapses nakailangani-polish para sa Wednesday game [against La Salle], makaporma kami sakanila,” UST assistant coach Yani Fernandez said.
The Lady Falcons seek to bounce back from their loss to the Lady Spikers and also gain a share of the second spot as they tangle with the Lady Warriors at 11 a.m.
The Adamson-UE showdown will be an explosive duel between Shai Nitura and KhyCepada.
Nitura, the Lady Falcons’ prized rookie, led the league in scoring after the first week, while Cepada, who reclaimed her status as the Lady Warriors top offensive option, is currently No. 3 behind Alyssa Solomon, the Lady Bulldogs opposite hitter who is in second.
In the men’s division, UST and La Salle hope to join joint second placers NU and Ateneo at 2-1 in the 9 a.m. match.
The Golden Spikers and the Green Spikers rebounded from their season-opening losses against the Red Warriors and the Falcons last Saturday.
As UST awaits the return of injured reigning MVP Josh Ybañez, coach OdjieMamon wanted to see a better effort against De La Salle, which had an impressive off-season.
“Kailangannamin ng magandang showing on Wednesday. We both have played two games already so meronna opportunity to scout each other sa matches na ‘yon. Paghahandaannaminito para magandamapakitanamin,” Mamon said.
Coach Jose Roque knows that the Green Spikers have something more to show as they brace for a tough showdown with the Golden Spikers, who also boast a deep roster.
“Kung anoyungkulangnamin at hindinaminnagawanung first game, ‘yon yungtrinabahonamin ‘eh. I think even the teams noticed that. Somehow nagagreelang kami nakailangannaminbumawi at galingan pa sa next games ,” Roque said.
UE and Adamson hope to break into the win column in the other men’s match at 11 a.m.
