By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Games Today (The Arena, San Juan City)
8 a.m. – FEU vs UE (Men’s)
10 a.m. – Ateneo vs UP (Men’s)
2 p.m. – FEU vs UP (Women’s)
4 p.m. – UE vs La Salle (Women’s)
Defending champion La Salle tries to secure the first Final Four berth today when it squares off with University of the East in UAAP women’s volleyball at The Arena in San Juan City.
Game time is at 4 p.m. with the Lady Spikers seeking their fourth consecutive win to improve their 8-2 win-loss mark and solidify their hold of the solo lead.
University of the Philippines, meanwhile, aims to keep its slim semifinal hopes alive in its 2 p.m. confrontation with dangerous Far Eastern University.
The Lady Tamaraws are tied with the National University Lady Bulldogs for third to fourth places at 6-4 while the Lady Maroons are leveled with the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses 6th to seventh places at 3-7.
Coming off a tough 25-17, 21-25, 16-25, 25-20, 15-5 victory over the Lady Tamaraws last week, the Lady Spikers are determined to keep their pace and strengthen their title-retention bid.
La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus will continue to rely on their strong serves, smart digs and clever set plays where they have been currently dominating – thanks to Majoy Baron, Kim Dy, Desiree Cheng, libero Dawn Macandili, setter Michelle Cobb and rising star Tin Tiamzon.
UE, already out of contention with a dismal 2-8 card, meanwhile, is eager to play the spoiler’s role.
Kath Arado, currently the best libero in the season, will take charge of the Lady Warriors’ floor defense while Mary Ann Mendrez and Shaya Adorador will provide offensive attacks.
La Salle is hoping to reaffirm its mastery over UE which it beat, 25-14, 25-20, 19-25, 25-21, in the first-round.
