ATENEO’S Lady Eagles try extend an eight-game winning streak even as they move closer in claiming the first twice-to-beat slot in the Final Four as it plays National University in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre today, March 22.
Hoping to avenge their lone loss of the season, a 17-25, 13-25, 25-19, 27-29 defeat to the Lady Bulldogs last Feb. 8, the Lady Eagles are now a different team after the defeat and looking good in the scheduled 4 p.m. match.
University of the Philippines, stung by last Sunday’s straight set setback to defending champion De La Salle, tries to wheel back in Final Four contention against also-ran Adamson University at 2 p.m.
On an eight-game winning streak and holding the league’s best record, Ateneo will bank on playmaker Jia Morado and main hitters Jho Maraguinot, Michelle Morente, Bea de Leon, Kat Tolentino and Ana Gopico, who is given more court time by coach Tai Bundit.
“Every game, pinaghahandaan namin. Kung ano ang resulta ng every training, makukuha namin,” said Lady Eagles assistant mentor Sherwin Meneses.
Ateneo’s character showed in last Saturday’s 25-20, 25-22, 17-25, 21-25, 15-8 win over Far Eastern University, as the two-time champions displayed steely resolve during crunchtime.
NU, currently tied with idle University of Santo Tomas in third at 6-4, still hammered out a 25-15, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21 win against University of the East despite the benching of two liberos in the fourth frame.
Once the Lady Bulldogs figured out their defensive deficiencies, main hitters Jaja Santiago, Risa Sato and Jorelle Singh will have no problem in scoring from Jasmine Nabor’s feeds that will make life hard for the Lady Eagles.
“Kailangan yung kumpiyansa namin, bumalik. Kaya ang sabi ko, hangga’t nandiyan kayo sa loob, nandiyan ang tiwala ko sa inyo. Iyon ang aking basehan,” said NU coach Roger Gorayeb.
The Lady Bulldogs, who are two games behind the Lady Spikers and are only up by a full game over joint fifth placers Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Maroons, are simply focusing on keeping their Final Four hopes alive.
“Bakbakan na iyan, hindi na sila aalis sa 1-2 (Ateneo and La Salle). Accept the truth, accept the fact na mahihirapan na kami na pumasok sa No. 2,” said Gorayeb. “Magpursige kami sa No. 3 or 4. Extra effort na lang kami.”
UP, which lost five of its last six matches after a 4-0 matches, is simply glad to get this needed break. But the Lady Falcons should not be complacent of the Lady Falcons, who were able to snatch a set in last Saturday’s 12-25, 18-25, 25-19, 22-25 loss to the Tigresses.
Reigning men’s champion Ateneo, three wins away from claiming an outright Finals berth, takes on Adamson University at 10 a.m., right after the FEU-UE match at 8 a.m.
Games today:
(Filoil Flying V Centre)
8 a.m. – UE vs FEU (Men)
10 a.m. – ADMU vs AdU (Men)
2 p.m. – UP vs AdU (Women)
4 p.m. – ADMU vs NU (Women)