UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball kicks off Saturday at MOA Arena; spotlight on DLSU

NEW FACES, old aces now in different squads headline the cast as the highly-anticipated University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament opens shop this Saturday at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.

Six new mentors will strut their stuff in the star-studded women’s division with De La Salle University’s (DLSU) Ramil de Jesus and University of Santo Tomas’ “Kungfu” Reyes as the only head coaches staying at their stables.

Brazilian Sergio Veloso, also the men’s national team coach, will now call the shots for the rebuilding Ateneo de Manila University squad, deputy Manolo Refugia has been elevated to head coach in lieu of now consultant Tina Salak in Far Eastern University as Norman Miguel returns to National University.

From Ateneo, Oliver Almadro will now steer its neighbor University of the Philippines as former Adamson University tactician Jerry Yee will be handling University of the East. Taking his place in Adamson is JP Yude, who also mentors the high school team. But the spotlight is still on reigning titlist De La Salle, which is bracing for a big target on its back in a backto-back championship bid after exacting vengeance on Season 85 queen NU. DLSU will be dealing with the departure of its core led by captain Jolina dela Cruz, setter and Finals MVP Mars Alba, middle blocker Fifi Sharma and libero Justine Jazareno but Season 85 Rookie-MVP Angel Canino, Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals MVP Shevana Laput and Best Middle Blocker Thea Gagate are still on board.

The Lady Spikers revved up for their UAAP title retention goal by winning the SSL National Invitationals while their fierce rivals Lady Bulldogs ruled the SSL Pre-Season Championship led by MVP Alyssa Solomon and former UAAP Rookie-MVP Bella Belen.

Other teams are not to be left behind either with prized rookies set for their UAAP arrival led by high school sensations UE’s Casiey Monique Dongallo and Santo Tomas’ Angeline Poyos.

In the men’s division, threetime champion NU and challenger Santo Tomas — fresh from a stunning title run in the PNVF at the expense of the Bulldogs and pro team Cignal — are the undisputed major forces to be reckoned with.

The opening weekend schedule is yet to be released by the UAAP as games will be held durings Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, live and on-demand on Pilipinas Live and UAAP Varsity Channel with catch-up free TV broadcast on One Sports.