La Salle kicks off 3-peat bid

Even without ace setter Kim Fajardo, powerhouse La Salle appears to be just that as the Lady Spikers gun for a “three-peat” in UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball starting today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Touted libero Dawn Macandili, reigning league MVP Majoy Baron and veteran Kim Kianna Dy are back for another tour of duty, making La Salle the clear-cut favorite in the eight-team field.

The Lady Spikers, aiming for their 10th overall crown under the tutelage of Ramil De Jesus, have the chance to fire an early warning as they take on the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses at 4 p.m.

National University, led by Jaja Santiago, squares off with retooled Adamson at 2 p.m. in an early collision of top contenders out to foil La Salle’s bid to complete a golden treble for the third time since 2004.

The Lady Bulldogs are also expected to lean on veterans Risa Sato and setter Jasmine Nabor as they try to live up to their billing under new mentor Babes Castillo and put themselves back in the Final Four after missing the trip the past two years.

The Lady Falcons, who could only win a single match last year, are bound to make a big turnaround with the return of top spiker Jema Galanza from an ACL injury aside from veteran Mylene Paat and setter Fenela Emnas.

A fair share of the spotlight should also fall on La Salle’s sophomore setter Michelle Cobb, who will be in for her most daunting challenge yet in terms of filling up the big void left by Fajardo, who has already maximized her five-year eligibility.

“Given the legacy that Ate Kim left, it comes with a lot of expectations,” said Cobb, 18, a former St. Scholastica College-Manila star. “Siyempre a lot of people are looking at our team. Dama ko ‘yung pressure talaga. Pabigat na nang pabigat.”