Ateneo seeks revenge vs La Salle

by Kristel Satumbaga

Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
8 a.m. – La Salle vs Adamson (men’s)
10 a.m. – Ateneo vs UE (men’s)
2 p.m. – Adamson vs UE (women’s)
4 p.m. – Ateneo vs La Salle (women’s)

Ateneo guns for a twice-to-beat semifinal incentive while perennial rival La Salle seeks a Final Four spot when they clash today in UAAP women’s volleyball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Game is at 4 p.m. with the Lady Eagles aiming to extend their winning run to 11 games or since dropping their opening game to the reigning champions La Salle Lady Spikers.

In a game expected to draw another massive crowd, the Lady Spikers hope to use their 25-14, 25-17, 16-25, 25-19 first-round victory against the Katipunan-based squad to boost their confidence.

Both teams are coming off a week-long respite following triumphs over their eliminated rivals.

Ateneo bested National University, 25-14, 24-26, 25-17, 25-19, to improve to 10-1 while La Salle blasted Adamson,25-15, 25-18, 25-16, for an 8-3 record at second.

Triple towers Bea de Leon, Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino are expected to be at the frontline of Ateneo’s charge particularly in the defensive end where the three currently leads the blocking department.

La Salle, meanwhile, prides itself of being the current best serving team and is slated to use that advantage to challenge Ateneo’s floor defense.

Rookie Jolina dela Cruz and veteran Desiree Cheng will form the Lady Spikers’ offensive core with their sharp kills and will conspire with versatile setter Michelle Cobb for variety of plays.