By MARK REY MONTEJO
Games Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
9 a.m. – Ateneo vs UE (men’s)
11 a.m. – FEU vs La Salle (men’s)
1 p.m. – Ateneo vs UE (women’s)
3 p.m. – FEU vs La Salle (women’s)
La Salle and Far Eastern University are out to end their respective first-round eliminations campaigns on a high note when they clash on Saturday, March 15, in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Match is at 3 p.m. with both squads staking their respective three-game winning streaks to improve their 4-2 cards. The winner will gain solo third.
Clashing in the other women’s match are Ateneo and University of the East at 1 p.m.
With only two days of preparation, the Lady Spikers brace for a tough challenge against a well-rested Lady Tamaraws that last played a week ago, beating the Adamson Lady Falcons.
Six-foot-6 Shevana Laput echoed their coach’s sentiments, adding that it’s all about trusting their coaches’ system in helping them prepare their games.
“All teams, as coach said, are competitive. So we have to be ready for them,” said Laput, who is expected to steer the Lady Spikers anew after exploding with a career-high 25 points against Ateneo.
Apart from Laput, slated to provide firepower are Angel Canino, Alleiah Malaluan and Amie Provido, with rookie setter Mikole Reyes out to orchestrate the offense.
FEU, for its part, is pinning its hopes on skipper Tin Ubaldo, Jerz Petallo, Faida Bakanke, Jean Asis and Chen Tagaod.
Meanwhile, injury-plagued Ateneo aims to snap its three-game slide that put them at 1-5, while UE tries to crawl out of the cellar and finally end its six-game losing skid.
Lyann De Guzman and AC Miner are expected to steer the Blue Eagles while Khy Cepada and Nessa Bangayan are set to show the way for the Lady Warriors.
In men’s action, FEU (6-0) eyes to finish the first round unblemished when it squares off with La Salle (4-2) at 11 a.m., while Ateneo (3-3) and UE (0-6) raise the curtain at 9 a.m.
