Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
12 noon – Ateneo vs NU (m)
4 p.m. – Ateneo vs La Salle (w)
La Salle is leaving no stone unturned today when it goes for the UAAP women’s volleyball crown against archrival Ateneo in Game 2 of their championship series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Spikers hope to ride on the momentum of their 21-25, 29-27, 25-22, 25-20 win last Saturday against the Lady Eagles at 4 p.m.
A win for La Salle will also earn them its sixth title since 2008 and fourth crown since facing the same foe in the finals over the last six years.
La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus said they need to improve on their mental toughness, knowing the capability of Ateneo to bounce back from defeats.
“Yung overall mentality ang importante sa amin. Maganda ’yung pinakita namin nung Game 1 kasi kinapitan namin, pero marami din kaming pagkukulang don,” said De Jesus.
De Jesus added they needed to strengthen their defense, knowing that Ateneo was a tough nut to crack at the net with spikers Jho Maraguinot, Michelle Morente, and Be De Leon leading the Lady Eagles’ offensive charge.
In Game 1, La Salle only managed four blocks out of 56 tries.
“Yung Ateneo, aggressive talaga yan sa harap kaya kailangan pa namin ng mas matinding depensa,” said De Jesus.
De Jesus also said they needed to limit their errors after committing 40 the last time, 11 coming in the first set.
Skipper Kim Fajardo, meanwhile, is confident they can close out their title campaign in this match.
“Sana last game ko na ito,” said the graduating setter, who relies on Season MVP Majoy Baron, Kim Dy, and Desiree Cheng to pounce on the Lady Eagles.
Ateneo, however, is convinced that they can bounce back from the crucial loss.
“Sabi nga ni coach Tai (Bundit), charge it to experience,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sherwin Malonzo. “We’ll definitely do something about it. It’s not over yet. It’s a best-of-three series.”
