by Kristel Satumbaga
Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
8 a.m. – Adamson vs UST (men’s)
10 a.m. – Ateneo vs UP (men’s)
2 p.m. – UST vs UE (women’s)
4 p.m. – UP vs FEU (women’s)
Expect fierce battle today as University of the Philippines (UP) and Far Eastern University (FEU) clash in a vital match in the UAAP women’s volleyball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Sporting identical 6-4 marks with University of Santo Tomas, the Lady Maroons and the Lady Tamaraws seek to improve their standings in their 4 p.m. confrontation.
UP and FEU are coming off contrasting fortunes on Wednesday with the Lady Maroons surviving University of the East (UE), 25-23, 20-25, 25-23, 24-26, 15-11, and the Lady Tamaraws losing to Ateneo, 25-21, 25-10, 26-18.
UP will once again rely on Marian Buitre who fired 16 kills for 19 points the last time – her explosion came at the most opportune time as the team played without spiker Isa Molde.
Tots Carlos, Maristela Layug and Ayel Estranero are also expected to provide the needed firepower.
Meanwhile, FEU tries to redeem itself not only from a recent loss to Ateneo but also to its 25-18, 20-25, 25-22, 25-20 first-round defeat to UP last Feb. 20.
Heather Guino-o, Jerrili Malabanan, Celine Domingo and Kyle Negrito must regain their lost touch after struggling with single-digit performances the last time.
Also out to improve its 6-4 mark is UST as the Tigresses face the UE Lady Warriors at 2 p.m.
The Tigresses are determined to bounce back from a 21-25, 25-23, 25-19, 26-24 heartbreaker to the La Salle Lady Spikers last week with Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure slated to spearhead their attack.
UE, for its part, guns to hike its 2-8 record following back-to-back losses to FEU and UP.
