NU makes debut in Shakey’s V-L today

Games Today (Philsports Arena, Pasig City) 10 a.m. – Perpetual vs PMMS (men’s) 12 noon – Ateneo vs San Beda (men’s) 4 p.m. – San Beda vs UST (women’s) 6 p.m. – NU vs San Sebastian (women’s)

After big wins by Far Eastern University (FEU) and Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP), defending champion National University also targets a hot start when it battles opening day winner San Sebastian College (SSC) today in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

With an almost intact lineup, the NU belles are favored over the SSC tossers in their 6 p.m. showdown.

Out to lead NU is the 6-foot-5 Jaja Santiago, whose stint in a commercial league has made her more dangerous offensively.

She has also a solid backup in Jasmine Nabor, Jorelle Singh and Aiko Urdas who are tasked to foil former NCAA MVP Grethcel Soltones.

Soltones was rampant in the team’s 27-25, 25-22, 25-22 victory University of Perpetual Help last Saturday by erupting to 19 kills.

The Lady Tamaraws fired an early warning of their title aspiration with a 25-16, 25-16, 25-18 win over the NCAA champion College of St. Benilde the other day.

FEU’s win, however, was overshadowed by TIP’s stunning 26-24, 1425, 25-21, 18-25, 15-12 win over a shorthanded Ateneo side.

While the Lady Stags have a bevy of good hitters, their defense was a suspect as proven during their opening game after failing to convert a single block out of 27 attempts.

Also debuting today is University of Santo Tomas (UST), which collides with San Beda at 4 p.m.