By NIKOLE JAVIER
LA SALLE launches its bid for back-to-back championships against a new-look Adamson as the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball begins on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Lady Spikers and the Lady Falcons clash at 4 p.m. in a repeat of last season’s semifinalists while Ateneo, bidding to relive its glory days, collides with University of the East at 2 p.m.
Like Adamson, La Salle will also unveil several promising players who are being groomed to fill the void left by outside hitter Jolina dela Cruz, setter Mars Alba, middle blocker Fifi Sharma and libero Justine Jazareno.
Dela Cruz and Alba have both completed their playing years with the Taft-based school while Sharma and Jazareno have decided to forgo their remaining playing years due to various reasons.
But the Lady Spikers remain formidable with the presence of last season’s Rookie and MVP winner Angel Canino and Thea Gagate.
Also expected to share the limelight with Canino and Gagate are Alleiah Malaluan and Shevana Laput who also played key roles in their journey back to the top.
In a show of might, the Lady Spikers finished the elims with a 13-1 record, then swept the rest of their games to lift their 12th trophy.
Meanwhile, Adamson will be with a new set of coaching staff as the school tapped former palyers JP Yude and Bang Pineda.
Wounded from their Final Four loss last season against the Lady Spikers, the Lady Falcons are definitely plotting some sort of vengeance.
Adamson will be without top scorers Trisha Tubu and Kate Santiago as well as setter Louie Romero and middle blocker Lorene Toring, who sustained an ACL injury just last month.
After the Blue Eagles’ disappointing showing that saw them miss the Final Four for the first time since Season 71, debuting head coach Sergio Veloso has only high hopes for the team this year.
The Lady Blue Eagless wound up with 4-10 mark to end up 6th overall.
