Lady Tamaraws, 3 more fire off women’s action

Games Saturday

(The Arena, San Juan City) 8 a.m. – UE vs UP (Men’s) 10 a.m. – FEU vs NU (Men’s) 2 p.m. – UE vs UP (Women’s) 4 p.m. – FEU vs NU (Women’s)

Four teams led by last season’s bridesmaid Far Eastern University begin their title hunt today when UAAP women’s volleyball fires off at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lady Tamaraws seek a strong start in their 4 p.m. tussle with the National University Lady Bulldogs while University of the East and University of the Philippines clash at 2 p.m.

FEU, however, faces an uphill climb this season with the exit of hard-hitting Bernadeth Pons last year and the absence of opposite hitter Chin-chin Basas due to shoulder injury.

But the Lady Tamaraws are looking at this with the glass half-full as the situation gives other players the opportunity to prove their worth in eclipsing their strong performance last year.

Veteran setter Kyle Negrito banners the FEU frontline also composed of JerThe

rili Malabanan, Heather Guino-o and Celine Domingo.

Meanwhile, it will be a fresh start for NU as it saw the departure of key players Jaja Santiago and Aiko Urdas and the absence of veterans Jasmine Nabor, Roma Doromal, Risa Sato and Jorelle Singh.

Santiago and Urdas have already exhausted their playing years, Sato won’t suit up due to academic issues and Nabor, Doromal and Singh decided to skip this season for various reasons.

This will leave three-time Best Setter Joyme Cagande carrying the load for the squad along with Audrey Paran and Roselyn Doria.

In the other pairing, UP hopes to draw strength from a successful pre-season campaign where it clinched the Philippine Superliga Collegiate Grand Slam and the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference titles late last year.

Boasting of a deep lineup, UP coach Godfrey Okumu relies on veteran Tots Carlos to spearhead the squad along with Ayel Estranero, Alyssa Layug, Justine Dorog and Marian Buitre in surpassing last year’s fifth-place finish.

UE, which finished last among eight teams with two wins and 12 losses last season, aims for a new beginning with Judith Abil, Kath Avado and Roselle Baliton in front of their assault.

Meanwhile, the anticipated AteneoLa Salle matchup is set Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Volleyball matches will played Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.