By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
La Salle and Far Eastern University rekindle its championship rivalry when their best-of-three finals series blast off today in the UAAP women’s volleyball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Action heats up at 4 p.m. with both teams seeking to draw the first blood in the anticipated thrilling affair.
Much is at stake for the Lady Spikers as they gun for their third straight crown against the hungry Lady Tamaraws, who last tasted the title in 2007.
This would also be the first time since 2008 that La Salle and FEU clash for the crown with the Lady Spikers dethroning the Lady Tamaraws in the deciding Game 3 that year.
Despite sweeping FEU in the eliminations in five sets, expect La Salle to still unleash its aggressive form after dominating the service, digs, sets and receiving departments in the eliminations.
The Lady Spikers will also lean on their championship experience, having been in this situation for the last 10 years.
But more than restoring its three-peat dynasty they last established from 2010 to 2012, the Lady Spikers wants nothing but to gift their multi-titled mentor another trophy in his shelf.
“We want to honor him,” said Kim Dy, one of the graduating players in the squad.
Forming La Salle’s core apart from Dy are Majoy Baron, Desiree Cheng, sophomore setter Michelle Cobb and versatile libero Dawn Macandili.
The title, however, won’t come easy for La Salle.
Eager to rebuild its championship status in the league, the stalwarts of FEU coach George Pascua are expected to display their best efforts.
Retribution is also in the minds of the Lady Tamaraws in their 25-22, 25-17, 24-26, 23-25, 15-7 and 25-17, 21-25, 16-25, 25-20, 15-15 elims losses to the Lady Spikers.
Bernadeth Pons, the fourth-running best scorer in the league, heads the Lady Tamaraws’ assault along with Chin-Chin Basas, leading blocker Celine Domingo and Kyle Negrito.
Meanwhile, Game 1 of the best-of-three men’s finals between Ateneo and National University fires off at 12 noon with the Eagles aiming for a fourth straight title.
