GAMES TOMORROW
(Mall of Asia Arena)
1 p.m. – NU vs. Adamson (W)
3 p.m. – Ateneo vs. La Salle (W)
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and defending champion National University will lock horns this coming Sunday at the end of first-round play in the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament, a match that, this early, is being considered as a preview of the title match.
The match will be the first for the two squads since their battle for the title last year, with UST (5-1) out to extend its winning streak at the expense of the Lady Bulldogs, who are still perfect in five games.
“Stick langsa game plan, maglarolang ng maayosiyongmgabata. One point at a time, control the controllable, ganunlanglagi naming sinasabisamgabata and then iyong outcome madalinayan,” UST deputy mentor Yani Fernandez said after the Golden Tigresses humbled the Ateneo Blue Eagles 25-20, 25-23, 25-21 over the weekend.
Fernandez, the longtime assistant to coach Kungfu Reyes, said the team’s one-week rest augurs well for the squad.
“Napakalaking privilege saaminiyongone weeknaiyan,” said Fernandez, adding the Tigresses will also be preparing for their prelims exams.
Last season, NU swept the best-of-three finals against UST, clinching its fourth overall title.
Fernandez said the Golden Tigresses, led by last season’s Rookie of the Year AnggePoyos, Best Libero DetdetPepito and Best Setter Cassie Carballo, look to maximize the week before going up against the Lady Bulldogs.
“Ditosa UAAP, every game is a battle. Iyontalagaiyongnagiging trend this season. This NU game, angkagandahanlangtalaganito is next Sunday pa ang game namin. Ito ataiyongpangalawasapinakamahabangpahinganaminnawalang weekday, so ima-maximize naminiyong week para samgabata,” he said.
“[Sabihin] nalangnatinsakasabihang it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. Nararamdaman ng mgabataiyongpanalo, nararamdaman ng mgabataiyongtalo, but importantetalagaiyongresulta. Hopefully, sa game naminsa NU lahat ng mga lessons and mistakes lahat ma-iayos, mai-apply naminsa last game naminsa first round,” he added.
The Lady Bulldogs, before their battle against UST, will meet the Shaina Nitura-led Adamson Lady Falcons tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena.
