Lady Eagles target No. 5 vs Falcons

Games today (Mall of Asia Arena) 8 a.m. – UE vs NU (Men) 10 a.m. – UST vs FEU (Men) 2 p.m. – AdU vs Ateneo (Women)

4 p.m. – UST vs NU (Women)

Ateneo guns for its fifth straight victory as it takes on a struggling Adamson University side today even as National U tries to stay within striking distance of the defending two-time champion as it tangles with University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Gametime is at 2 p.m. with the Lady Eagles, bannered by reigning MVP Alyssa Valdez, fancied to soar past the Lady Falcons in their 2 p.m. encounter and extend their win run to five.

But Valdez expects a tough outing against the Lady Falcons, down in joint sixth with UST at 1-3.

“You know what Adamson can do,” said Valdez, who scored a career-high 35 points against the Lady Falcons three years ago.

“Yung defense talaga nila, walang palya. Every game, in my four years in the UAAP, they really give us a tough fight.”

Valdez also hopes to draw solid backup from Bea de Leon, Maddie Madayag, Amy Ahomiro and setter Jia Morado as they try to steer the Lady Eagles to their 23rd consecutive win since March 2014.

Ateneo, the league’s top spiking team, is coming off a 25-19, 25-21, 25-21 conquest of Katipunan neighbor University of the Philippines last Sunday.

The Lady Falcons, with But Jema Galanza and Mylene Paat combining for 48 points the last time out, bowed to the Lady Maroons, 2426, 27-25, 20-25, 19-25, last Wednesday.

The Lady Bulldogs, meanwhile, shoot for their fourth win against a loss as they collided with the Tigresses at 4 p.m.

NU coach Roger Gorayeb is satisfied with the Lady Bulldogs’ showing this season.

After losing to Ateneo in the opener, NU toppled Adamson, De La Salle and University of the East in succession to move to second place.

In men’s play, old rivals Far Eastern University and UST take to the floor at 10 a.m. while NU plays UP at 8 a.m.