By NIKOLE JAVIER
Games Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
10 a.m. – UP vs UE (Men)
12 noon – UP vs UE (Women)
4 p.m. – UST vs DLSU (Men)
6 p.m. – UST vs DLSU (Women)
Nothing could’ve been a more perfect end to the eliminations than a game between defending champion La Salle and its first round tormentor University of Santo Tomas.
Not only is La Salle going for a revenge or UST seeking affirmation to its compelling 5-set win in the first round, the two squads will be contesting for the last twice-to-beat berth in the last day of eliminations of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday, April 27, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With that, expect a war of attrition when the two teams – both sporting similar 11-2 records – clash at 6 p.m.
This also means that the Taft-based squad will be facing the Golden Tigresses right away in the semis as the latter will be dropped to third place.
A UST win, however, gives the Espana-based squad the top seeing as it maintains a set-ratio lead over NU and an overall better elimination numbers against everybody else.
If this ends up as the scenario, the Golden Tigresses will face No. 4 seed Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws which handed them a stinging five-set loss last April 13.
Additionally, there can only be one of last season’s finalists who will make a return trip to the championship series as La Salle and NU slug it out as Nos. 2 and 3 teams in the semifinal.
At the moment, the Lady Spikers’ starting rotation continues to sorely miss reigning Most Valuable Player Angel Canino, who’s been sidelined since their last five outings which includes a nasty loss to the Lady Bulldogs.
Sans Canino, sophomore opposite spiker Shevana Laput has taken over the offensive fight for La Salle with skipper and setter Julia Coronel embracing her dual role in the race to the final.
Aside from Canino, Baby Jyne Soreño is also out of the lineup after sustaining a dislocated shoulder in their game against Adamson last April 17.
While La Salle tackles its injury-hounded roster, UST is looking to lean on its balanced attacking options with Angge Poyos, Regina Jurado and Jonna Perdido taking turns to carry a bulk of the load.
Although Poyos has been leading the way for the Golden Tigresses with her high numbers after unveiling herself as a strong Rookie of the Year-MVP candidate, the rising star could expect a helping hand from the rest of her fellow wing spikers.
With everyone in peak form at the right time, UST’s chances are looking bright and strong.
In the earlier play, an equally important game in the men’s action ensues as the Green Spikers (10-3) and Golden Spikers (8-5) collide at 4 p.m.
Likewise, the Vince Maglinao-led La Salle is hoping for a repeat over UST for the last twice-to-beat incentive.
With defending champion NU’s massive win over top seed FEU last April 24, the Bulldogs (11-3) clinched a playoff for the semifinal bonus.
Should the Green Spikers come out on top, the playoff for No. 2 is set to take place against the awaiting Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, the Josh Ybañez-led UST side is playing spoiler in the scenario as it settled for fourth place in the standings.
