NATIONAL University takes on a familiar foe but in an unfamiliar spot, facing UST without its head coach and two key players as action in the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge resumes Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Bulldogs repulsed the Golden Spikers in the finals of this tournament and the UAAP last year with a full roster but they will set out for their 4 p.m. clash sans mentor Dante Alinsunurin and top hitter Nico Almendras and ace playmaker Owa Retamar.
“May mga bagay pa kami na kailangan ayusin, lalo na sa service. Ang importante ay masubukan ko yung team namin kahit wala sila Owa (Retamar) at Nico (Almendras),” said Alinsunurin, who is in VIetnam for the VTV Cup campaign of PVL team Choco Mucho.
Retamar and Almendras, on the other hand, have opted to take a break.
“Pinaghahandaan namin yung possibility na mawala sila in the next few years. Kailangan ready kami sa bawat laro at bawat liga na sinasalihan naming,” said Alinsunurin.
But NU remains upbeat of its chances to score a follow-up to its 25-22, 25-22, 25-19 victory over Far Eastern U last Wednesday in a bid to match the idle Perpetual Help side’s strong 2-0 start in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
In contrast, UST is reeling from a 26-28, 25-18, 28-26, 25-21 defeat at the hands of De La Salle U last Friday.
Ateneo and San Beda U, meanwhile, clash in the other men’s match at 2 p.m. with the Blue Eagles likewise eyeing a second straight win in the tournament supported by Bola.TV, Beyond Active Wear, Asics and Mikasa.
The Loyola-based squad turned back Emilio Aguinaldo College, 23-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-16, last Sunday, while the Red Spikers bowed to the Altas, 14-25, 17-25, 22-25 loss.
In women’s play which is aired on Solar Sports, the V-League’s official website, and Bola.TV’s app, Far Eastern U battles Perpetual Help at 10 a.m. University of the East tangles with Mapua U at 12 noon in a pair of inter-league showdowns.
Neighbors Lady Tams and Lady Warriors are coming off victories over the Lady Cards and the Enderun Lady Titans in straight-set fashions last Wednesday. But Mapua bounced back with a five-set reversal over Lyceum last Sunday while the Altas swept the Lady Stags last Friday.
Games Wednesday
10 a.m. – Perpetual Help
vs FEU (women’s)
12 noon – UE vs Mapua (women’s)
2 p.m. – San Beda vs Ateneo (men’s)
4 p.m. – UST vs NU (men’s)