Games Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
12:30 p.m. – Awarding Ceremony (men’s)
1 p.m. – FEU vs NU (Tamaraws lead 1-0)
4: 30 p.m. – Awarding Ceremony (women’s)
5 p.m. – NU vs La Salle (Lady Bulldogs lead 1-0)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
National University tries to complete what it failed to accomplish two years ago when it faces La Salle in Game 2 of the Season 87 women’s volleyball finals at Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday, May 14.
Game is at 5 p.m. with the Lady Bulldogs ready to kick the ghost of the past even as Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon vowed to give it their all in the hope of ending their collegiate careers in a blaze of glory.
In men’s play, Far Eastern University is heavily favored to clinch its first title in 13 years against defending titlist NU in their 1 p.m. showdown.
The Tamaraws seek to replicate their hard-fought five-set stunner – behind Ryx Saavedra’s 25-point eruption in Game 1 – over the five-peat seeking Bulldogs.
One thing going for NU is that Vange Alinsug – the hero in the team’s 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17 Game 1 victory in front of massive crowd – is as determined to weave another magical performance to help Belen and Solomon in their mission.
Alinsug was on fire the last time, scoring her career-high 21 points to outshine her more popular and experienced teammates.
Just like in the finals two years ago, NU drew first blood only to allow La Salle recovered and took the next two games for the school’s 12th championship.
This could give Belen and Solomon an added fuel in their desire to give NU another title before finally bidding goodbye to all those responsible for making their collegiate journey a successful one.
That situation could work both ways actually.
La Salle could use that to inspire its players even more in their effort to reverse the situation and retain the crown.
For that to happen, Angel Canino and Shevana Laput would need to play extraordinarily.
Belen, however, emphasized that “bonding like a family” would play a bigger role to win back-to-back titles.
“Very happy lang kasi, karamihan do’n sa team namin noong high school nag-continue rito sa college, malaking factor sya sa ginagalaw namin ngayon kasi kilalang-kilala namin iyong bawat isa,” said Belen, who alongside Solomon, Pangilinan and Toring gunning for their third UAAP crown.
