Four-peat-seeking Arellano University guns for the early lead against San Beda, while Letran and Jose Rizal University make their season debuts Tuesday in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Paco Arena.
The Lady Chiefs and the Lady Red Spikers clash at 12:30 p.m., right after the 12 noon duel between the Lady Knights and the Lady Bombers.
Arellano and San Beda are parading very different rosters this year from the coronavirus-aborted 2020 season.
Even with the graduation of their main offensive options Regine Arocha, Necole Ebuen and Andrea Marzan, and setter Sarah Verutiao, the Lady Chiefs gave an early message that they will still contend for the championship.
Nicole Sasuman, Carla Donato, Princess Bello, and playmaker Donna Paralejas proved that they are ready to lead Arellano as proven in last Saturday’s 25-14, 25-12, 25-21 romp of Mapua.
The Lady Red Spikers hope to cope up from the loss of sisters Cesca and Daryl Racraquin, twins Iza and Ella Viray, Kim Manzano, and Lynne Matias.
San Beda dropped a 10-25, 13-25, 15-25 decision to College of Saint Benilde last Saturday.
Coach Obet Javier knows the ingredients of the Lady Chiefs’ four titles in the last five seasons.
“Hindi kami sumasandal sa isang tao lang. Team effort talaga so binibigyan namin ng oras yung bawat player pagdating sa ensayo. Hindi kami naka-concentrate sa iisang tao,” said Javier.
Letran and JRU, which saw their Final Four bids fell short in 2020 before the season was canceled due to the pandemic, hope to fare well in the tournament.
The Lady Knights will be bannered by high-scoring Cha Cuñada, while veteran Dolly Verzosa will power the Lady Bombers.
Also posting season-opening wins over the weekend were San Sebastian and Lyceum of the Philippines University.