Ateneo and National University clash in an early duel of fancied teams today in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Lady Eagles and the Lady Bulldogs posted contrasting victories on opening day to set the tone for their respective title campaigns.
Still solid even with the graduation of superstar Alyssa Valdez, Ateneo swept University of Santo Tomas, 25-20, 25-21, 25-22.
NU, however, had to survive a vastly-improved University of the East side, 18-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-13, for its first win.
Gametime is at 4 p.m.
Far Eastern University and Adamson collide at 2 p.m., as the opening weekend losers try to barge into the win column.
The Lady Bulldogs may have emerged triumphant over the Lady Eagles in the V-League, but UAAP is a different story though.
Jho Maraguinot has been touted as Ateneo’s main option, but coach Tai Bundit’s side is already deep, especially with Michelle Morente back in harness, and 6-foot-3 Kat Tolentino getting into the groove of things.
Then there’s Bea de Leon and Maddie Madayag, who are taking care of business in the middle for the Lady Eagles, now with Jia Morado as their leader.
Morado will have an interesting face-off with NU setter Jasmine Nabor.
Nabor has connected well with 6-foot-5 Jaja Santiago, while Risa Sato has made impression on her debut. For the Lady Bulldogs’ offense to get going, Jorelle Singh and Aiko Urdas must step up in their game.
The Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Falcons, meanwhile, are hoping to rise from their disappointing starts.
FEU succumbed to defending champion La Salle, 27-29, 22-25, 23-25, while Adamson was blown out by last season’s semifinalist University of the Philippines, 18-25, 11-25, 18-25, last Sunday.