Games Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
10 a.m. – NU vs UST (men’s)
12 p.m. – FEU vs La Salle (men’s)
2 p.m. – FEU vs NU (women’s)
6 p.m. – UST vs La Salle (women’s)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
It’s going to be another long day for UAAP volleyball fans as familiar teams and faces go for each other’s throat in four semis matches starting at 10 a.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
For sure, supporters of these schools will be treated to a day of drama and electrifying action, and most likely will go home either in euphoric state or with a heavy heart.
Out for quick passage to the women’s finals – perhaps their second in three years – are reigning titlist National University and La Salle.
For finishing 1-2 in the double-round elims, the Lady Bulldogs and Lady Spikers need only to beat their rivals, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws and University of Santo Tomas Tigresses, respectively, once to set up another dream title match.
The fitting appetizers for what could be a pair of long-drawn semis duels are the men’s semis matches featuring No. 1 seed FEU against No. 4 La Salle at 12 noon after the 10 a.m. duel between defending champion and No. 2 NU against UST at 10 a.m.
Having swept the Lady Tamaraws in the elims, the Lady Bulldogs, starring Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, are the odds-on favorites to prevail in their 2 p.m. collision specially the two stars would be playing their last for NU.
“As seniors, kami po ang taga-remind sa team na ‘di mawala ‘yong fire sa laro nila… remind lang po talaga [sa mga bata],” Solomon added.
Though La Salle beat UST in a playoff for the second twice-to-beat bonus, many expect their 6 p.m. to be tight and tense with no one holding a significant edge over the other.
But for La Salle, this is the best stage to beat UST after being shocked by the Espana-based squad in the last year’s semis.
Angel Canino and Shevana Laput are out to banner the Taft-based squad’s forefront with Amie Provido, Alleiah Malaluan, Mikole Reyes, Baby Jyne Soreno and Lilay Del Castillo out to provide support.
As in the past, UST will have to squeeze the best out of Angge Poyos and Reg Jurado in order to match La Salle’s firepower. But Mabeth Hilongo, Em Banagua, Pia Abbu, Cassie Carballo, and Detdet Pepito must also step up offensive and defensively if they are to force a rubber match.
