Young Lady Bulldogs test mettle vs Blue Eagles
National University flaunts its promising young core against reigning champi- on Ateneo in the UAAP Season 84 wom- en's volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City today.
The Lady Bulldogs and the Blue Eagles raise the curtains in their 10 a.m. encounter with both teams posting contrasting results in the
opener last May 5.
NU drew first blood against the Adamson, 25-15, 25-23, 25-18, while Ateneo absorbed a stunning 22-25-25-23-25-18-25-20 loss at the hands of archrivals De La Salle.
The Lady Bulldogs (1-0) continue to lean on young talents in Michaela Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Jen Nierva, and Ivy Lacsina while the Blue Eagles (0-1) hope to bounce back early behind the efforts of libero-captain Dani Ravena, former juniors' Most Valuable Player Faith Nisperos, and Vanie Gandler.
NU head coach Karl Dimaculangan is eager to show what can Belen, Nierva, and Lacsina do in the collegiate scene after suiting up for the national volleyball team.
Fortunately, the trio did not disappoint as Belen herself had posted 13 attacks for 14 points but it was Solomon who topscored for the Lady Bulldogs after chalking up 15 points built on 11 spikes, three blocks and a service ace.
The experience sure is a big deal for a youthful team mostly composed of rookies and Dimaculangan said it brought a "good competition" among his wards.
"Malaking bagay kasi 'yong exposure nila sa national team kasi nakaka-boost ng morale din nila 'yon na nakapaglaro sila ng ganoong level," said Dimaculangan.
"Dumating naman ako sa NU na may culture na sila from high school. Ma-translate ko sana, hanggang college madala namin," added the former University of the East tactician.
Over in Katipunan, all eyes would be on Gandler and Nisperos, whose 24-point explosion went into naught, after showing glimpse of what they could bring in the court with the mission to defend their UAAP title.
In others games, De La Salle (10) takes on Adamson (0-1) in the 12 p.m. match, Far Eastern University (0-1) faces University of the Philippines (1-0) at 4 p.m., while UE (0-1) and University of Santo Tomas close the quadruple-header at 6 p.m.