Games Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
9 a.m. – La Salle vs UST (men’s)
11 a.m. – Ateneo vs Adamson (men’s)
1 p.m. – Ateneo vs Adamson (women’s)
5 p.m. – La Salle vs UST (women’s)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
After suffering stinging defeats the last time, expect University of Santo Tomas and La Salle to bring their A-game to get back on the winning track.
Problem is they will be meeting each other when the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament resumes Saturday, March 29, before an expected massive crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Though one of them will return to its winning ways after their 5 p.m. encounter, the other will suffer another defeat that could impact its semis bid.
That is no-no for the Golden Tigresses having dropped their last two games – 3-2 to the National University Lady Bulldogs and 3-1 to the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws.
Same thing for the La Salle Lady Spikers who suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Lady Bulldogs the last time.
With both teams carrying similar 5-3 marks, one thing is for sure – fans are in for an electrifying night with both squads going for each other’s throat.
Opening the women’s hostilities at 1 p.m. are Adamson and Ateneo, with both teams out to improve their similar 3-5 marks.
Despite still reeling from its two straight defeats to current leaders National University (3-2) and Far Eastern University (3-1), UST remained unfazed, confident it can recovered just like what it did in the first round.
“Kung paano kami nag-start ng first round, same ngayong second round, so hopefully, kung paano kami nag-perform ulit, bumangon no’ng pagkatalo namin no’ng first game ng first round,” said UST skipper and libero Detdet Pepito.
“Maulit namin pero talagang [kailangang pagtrabahuhan pa namin… kasi nga ando’n na [kami] kulang nalang talaga ng maturity sa loob ng court, especially sa mga crucial moment,” she added.
The España-based squad bowed to FEU, 3-1, in its first-ever contest this year, but recovered mightily by winning five straight games.
Pepito is set to provide the leadership and defensive stops while Cassie Carballo will do the playmaking chores with Reg Jurado and Angge Poyos out to provide the firepower.
On the other hand, La Salle, which came from a 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 25-18 setback to NU, is going to lean anew on Angel Canino and Shevana Laput.
Apart from Canino and Laput, coach Ramil de Jesus can also count on Alleiah Malaluan, Amie Provido, Lilay Del Castillo and Mikole Reyes.
Meanwhile, super rookie Shai Nitura spearhead Adamson anew with key support likely to come from Maya Nuique, Barbie Jamili, Jen Villegas and her fellow rookies Frances Mordi and playmaker Fhei Sagaysay.
Fueled by its five-set triumph over Katipunan rival UP, Ateneo goes for two in a row with Lyann De Guzman, AC Miner, Zey Pacia, freshman Jihan Chuatico and Taks Fujimoto at the forefront.
In men’s action, La Salle and UST duke it out at 9 a.m. while Ateneo collides with Adamson at 11 a.m. with all squads aiming to stay in the Final Four race.
