By NIKOLE JAVIER
Top seed La Salle and reigning titlist look to formalize their 1-2rankings when they clash with separate foes at the close of the double-round elims of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday, April 29, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Lady Bulldogs (10-3), who are coming off a convincing payback win against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, clash with the Blue Eagles at 11:00 a.m. while the Lady Spikers collide with an inspred University of the East squad at 3p.m.
The Lady Spikers, bannered by super rookies Angel Canino and Shevana Laput and veteran Jolina dela Cruz, are toting a 12-1 card that even a “miracle win” by the Lady Warriors they will still emerge No. 1.
NU, on the other hand, must beat Ateneo to improve its 10-3 record and avoid any complication with UST not far behind at 9-4, tied with Adamson for third to fourth places.
The only team assured of a twice-to-beat semis incentive so far is La Salle, with the other be determined at the close of the NU-Ateneo match.
Ateneo (4-9) is out to play a spoiler role if only to comfort itself after missing out Final Four for the first time in 14 years.
The Blue Eagles will settle for sixth place regardless of the result of their last elimination round game against the Lady Bulldogs.
UE, for its part, has nothing at stake, but seeks a promising finish to a season after earning its first win against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on April 26.
With the breakthrough, the Lady Warriors put an end to a 12-game losing streak and finally barged into the win column.
