NU, FEU start clash

MANILA - National University seeks the first of two wins it needs for a record sweep as it faces Far Eastern University in the opener of the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference Finals at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan today.

The powerhouse Lady Bulldogs swept their group elims and the Arellano Lady Chiefs in their Final Four duel to reach the championship brimming with confidence against an FEU side that went through a grueling sudden death against Adamson to snare the other finals berth.

Veteran Bernadeth Pons returned to lead the Lady Tams’ bid against the Lady Falcons in rubber match late Monday, scoring 15 hits, including the match-clinching kill that sealed their 21-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-18 win and a spot in the best-of-three title series of the seasonending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

But Pons, along with libero Kyla Atienza, will miss the series’ opener to anchor FEU’s campaign in the UAAP beach volleyball tournament, making the intact Lady Bulldogs the heavy picks in their 6:30 p.m. encounter.

"I won't push for them to play because they also have beach volleyball commitments for the UAAP. It's a challenge for us coaches and for the players who will fill in their spots," said FEU coach George Pascua.

A slew of players, however, have stepped up for the Lady Tams in their surge, including Czarina Carandang, Celine Domingo, Jeanette Villareal, Kyle Negrito and libero Ria Duremdes along with veteran Toni Rose Basas. PR