By MARK REY MONTEJO
Games Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
9 a.m. – UST vs Ateneo (men’s)
11 a.m. – La Salle vs UE (men’s)
1 p.m. – UST vs Ateneo (women’s)
3 p.m. – La Salle vs UE (women’s)
De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas are determined to nail crucial victories that would bolster their respective Final Four bids in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, April 5.
Coming off two straight wins, the resurging Lady Spikers go for three in a row against the slumping University of the East Lady Warriors, who are still aiming for their first victory this season.
The DLSU-UE at 3 p.m. duel wraps up the quadruple header at the Big Dome, with the showdown between the Golden Tigresses and the Ateneo Blue Eagles serving as the women’s appetizer at 1 p.m.
With Angel Canino recovering from an injury scare, Shevana Laput shining on the offensive end, and Mikole Reyes’ continuously improving on her playmaking skill, La Salle is surely a favorite to clinch one of the two twice-to-beat bonuses.
“That’s the goal muna ngayon [to secure the playoff bonus] hanggang sa dulo,” said long-time head coach Ramil de Jesus after La Salle’s 25-21, 25-17, 25-20 win over arch-rival Ateneo last Wednesday..“Talagang isa ‘to sa mga goal namin.”
But, the Taft-based squad must maintain its momentum to snare the coveted prize in the semifinal with UST and FEU also itching to take the bonus. Reigning champion National University sits pretty at the top of standings with a 9-1 win-loss record.
Canino and Laput are expected to lead the Lady Spikers’ charge alongside Amie Provido, Alleiah Malaluan, Lilay Del Castillo and rising star Mikole, who is the younger sister of former La Salle star Mikka, as they aim to better their 25-12, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17 win over the Recto-based crew in the first round last March 8.
On the other hand, UE, which was already eliminated after sustaining its 10th loss in as many outings, banks on Khy Cepada, Van Bangayan, and Bea Zamudio with hopes of barging into the winning column.
