Lady Bulldogs eye payback
Games today: Philsports Arena) 9 a.m. — Ateneo vs UE 11 a.m. — UST vs Adamson 3 p.m. — FEU vs UP 5 p.m. — La Salle vs NU
Unbeaten De La Salle University looks to pick up from where it left off in an early rematch against defending champion National University to start the second round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Lady Spikers and Lady Bulldogs meet in the 5 p.m. main encounter of the explosive quadruple-header as the race for the Final Four shifts to high gear.
Meanwhile, UAAP will implement the video challenge system for the first time since its introduction in the pandemic-canceled Season 82 back in 2020.
La Salle rolled in the first round going unblemished in seven games, punctuated by a lopsided beating of NU, 25-10, 25-15, 25-21, last Wednesday.
Despite their dominating demolition of the Lady Bulldogs, Lady Spikers interim head coach Noel Orcullo reminds his players to stay grounded and glued on their main goal of reclaiming the crown it last held back in Season 80.
“We always remind them that this game is now over, and the game ahead of us is different. We can’t remain on cloud nine,” he said.
“I always remind them that if we win a big game, we have to quickly get back to work. We can’t dwell on our past victory because we’re preparing for other games.”
Sophomore middle Fifi Sharma, who had 12 points the last time out, shares the collective mindset of La Salle.
“We still have to focus on our singular goal which is to get the championship this season so we can’t sensationalize wins like this because there are many other games that we have to go through in order to get to what we need to achieve,” Sharma said.
“Everybody knows, all of my teammates know that. So, I’m confident on how we’re going to handle the pressure, I don’t even feel like other people are feeling pressured at all. We’re confident,” she added.
Orcullo will also rely on super rookie Angel Canino, veteran setter Mars Alba, Jolina dela Cruz, Thea Gagate and Leila Cruz.
NU, which ended the first round with a 5-2 card tied with Adamson University and University of Santo Tomas, hopes to recover from a terrible beating.
“It’s back to the drawing board for us. We have to look at our lapses and do something about it,” Lady Bulldogs coach Karl Dimaculangan said.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Bella Belen, who was the only NU player in double figures last game, vows to bounce back from the loss along with Ces Robles, Alysa Solomon, libero Jen Nierva and reigning Best Setter Lams Lamina.
In other games, Ateneo de Manila University and University of the East clash at 9 a.m. followed by UST-Adamson battle at 11 a.m. while Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines faceoff at 3 p.m.
FEU holds a 3-4 card, Ateneo carries a 2-5 mark, UP has a 1-6 slate while UE is winless in seven games.