DE La Salle hopes to complete another payback, this time against Adamson University, as it shoots for the first twice-to-beat slot in the Final Four today in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre. Lady Spikers’ coach Ramil de Jesus is looking forward how his troops will perform their 2 p.m. grudge match with the Lady Falcons.
“Isa sa mga goals namin ay balikan ‘yung mga tumalo sa amin. Siguro, gusto naming matapos itong season na lahat nabawian namin kung sino man ‘yung tumalo sa amin and then, ma-correct ‘yung mga pagkakamali during that time. ‘Yung mga mistakes na ginawa nila noong Adamson game. So dapat ma-realize nila at ma-correct ang mga iyon,” said De Jesus, who is eyeing to steer De La Salle to a third straight crown.
The Lady Spikers haven’t tasted defeat since that shock 18-25, 25-15, 19-25, 22-25 loss to the Lady Falcons last Feb. 24, as the defending champions are now performing at a higher level.
Aside from assuring themselves of a top two slot, a win by De La Salle over Adamson University will hand idle National University the remaining Final Four berth.
Far Eastern University seeks to level with Ateneo in the race for the second twice-to-beat slot in the semifinals as it plays already-eliminated University of the East in the day’s other match at 4 p.m.
At 10-2, La Salle actually has already assured of a playoff for the coveted No. 2 slot. The Lady Eagles, who are now one-and-a-half games behind the Lady Spikers, are precariously holding the second spot with a 9-4 card, just half-a-game ahead of the third-running Lady Tamaraws (8-4).
Not even by sweeping the last two matches will guarantee the Lady Falcons (5-7) of at least a playoff for the remaining semis berth. A win by NU (7-6) over FEU in the final day of elims on Sunday will bundle Adamson out of contention.
If it losses to Adamson University, De La Salle still has another shot of nailing the semifinals bonus against Ateneo in a rivalry game to cap the double-round eliminations on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Tamaraws are on a mission of making it to the top two after three seasons of being a lower-ranked team in the Final Four.
Ateneo’s 26-28, 23-25, 24-26 setback to University of the Philippines opened the gate for FEU to move closer in achieving its goal of clinching the twice-to-beat incentive.
“Every game, same character, same attitude. Step by step, ganoon ang mindset namin. Siyempre, mas intense kasi mas kailangan naming manalo,” said Lady Tamaraws’ mentor George Pascua after last Saturday’s 25-22, 25-27, 14-25, 25-22, 15-11 victory over the Lady Falcons.
The Lady Warriors, sporting a 2-10 slate in last place, are expecting to give their U-Belt neighbors a good fight as they try to end another losing season on a positive note.
In the men’s division starting at 8 a.m., titleholder Ateneo and FEU seeks to force a three-way tie with NU in first place at 11-2 against UE and UST, respectively.
Lady Spikers’ coach Ramil de Jesus is looking forward how his troops will perform their 2 p.m. grudge match with the Lady Falcons.