Games Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City)
9 a.m. – La Salle vs Adamson (men’s)
11 a.m. – UST vs UP (men’s)
1 p.m. – La Salle vs Adamson (women’s)
3 p.m. – UST vs UP (women’s)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
Alas Pilipinas mainstays Angel Canino and Shai Nitura take the spotlight Wednesday, March 11, as the two prominent figures in the collegiate ranks try to lead their respective schools to crucial wins in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
But the task is perhaps more challenging for Canino and her La Salle teammates as they are staking their five-game winning run against the Nitura-led Lady Falcons in their 1 p.m. showdown.
With the power-hitting Nitura eager to put one over Canino, expect not only fireworks to explode but as well as drama to unfold every after serve knowing the two have something to protect – their supreme status.
But with Shevana Laput back after a bout with illness, Nitura needs to produce extraordinary effort if they are to improve their 3-2 mark.
Clashing at 3 p.m. are host University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines with the Diliman-based squad determined to recover from its previous setback in the hopes of improving its 3-2 card.
The Lady Maroons should take Tigresses with utmost respect since the Espana-based squad is raring to avenge a humiliating 0-3 defeat to Adamson that dropped them to 2-3.
Far from a lackluster start in Season 87, La Salle had made its desire to bring the championship trophy back to Taft known to everyone by winning its first three games via 3-0 shutouts.
But against Adamson, Canino sees a war of attrition.
“Siyempre talagang hindi magpapatalo ang Adamson, malakas silang kalaban and makikita mo talaga na matapang sila na kahit ‘di sila lamang on that set, pero nakikita mo na gusto nilang lumaban,” said Canino after La Salle’s 25-15, 25-20, 25-19 win over UE last weekend.
“Marami silang nadagdag na players na willing to contribute… like Mordi, malaking improvement na ginawa nya from last to this year, marami kaming kailangang bantayan… Shaina is Shaina, wala na kaming masasabi dun, Shaina na talaga ‘yon,” she added.
It was a factual assessment from the Bacolod City native as Nitura and Mordi, through the creative plays of setter Fhei Sagaysay, shattered UST’s time and again the last time.
The two Adamson gunners must have ample offensive aid from their teammates as La Salle enjoys a deeper roster that include Amie Provido, Shane Reterta, Lilay Del Castillo, Mikee Santos, and rising playmaker Eshana Nunag.
In men’s division, La Salle (1-4) and Adamson (1-4) kick off the quadruple action at 9 a.m., while UST (4-1) goes for a share of second with reigning champion NU (5-1) when it squares off with UP (2-3) at 11 a.m.
