By MARK REY MONTEJO
Games Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City)
9 a.m. – NU vs Adamson (men’s)
11 a.m. – Ateneo vs La Salle (men’s)
1 p.m. – NU vs Adamson (women’s)
3 p.m. – Ateneo vs La Salle (women’s)
Reigning champion National University aims to keep its record unblemished when it collides with Adamson even as La Salle and Ateneo rekindle their storied rivalry in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball on Wednesday, March 12, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Lady Bulldogs gun for their sixth straight victory in their 1 p.m. tussle with the Lady Falcons, while the Lady Spikers and the Blue Eagles collide at 3 p.m.
NU coach Sherwin Meneses braces for a tough challenge against his alma mater and former team, especially as Adamson parades super rookie Shaina Nitura at the forefront of its attack.
“Paghahandaan namin nang mabuti yung Adamson. Si Nitura, talagang may potential yung bata,” said Meneses.
The Lady Bulldogs boast of a strong arsenal in veterans Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon – the very same players who anchored the crew to a three-set win over University of the Philippines.
Reinforcements will come from fellow mainstay Vange Alinsug, Erin Pangilinan, Alex Mata, and Lams Lamina.
Though boasting of Nitura, Adamson, for its part, needed to regain its bearings following back-to-back losses to University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University that put them at 2-3.
Adamson coach JP Yude casts his eyes on another rookie in Frances Mordie, Jen Villegas and Fhei Sagaysay to provide more firepower to the crew.
Meanwhile, La Salle aims to extend its winning run to three games and improve its 3-2 mark at fourth.
But it was not only about getting the win. La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus was reportedly not impressed with their latest win against University of the East that the Lady Spikers are pressed to further double their efforts to suit their coach’s standards.
Leading La Salle is Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, Alleiah Malaluan, Amie Provido, and Jyne Soreno.
Ateneo, on the other hand, tries to make the most out of its circumstances after being plagued by injuries.
Toting a 1-4 card, Ateneo will have to squeeze the best out of AC Miner and Lyann De Guzman if they are to prevail.
In men’s action, NU shoots for a third consecutive triumph when it challenges slumping Adamson at 9 a.m. while Ateneo and La Salle battle for the solo fourth spot at 11 a.m.
