Lady Tamaraws try to gatecrash final vs Spikers
Games today (MOA Arena) 2 p.m. – AdU vs NU (men’s) 4 p.m. – FEU vs DLSU (women’s)
Will the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball finale be a fifth installment of the Ateneo-La Salle post-season showdown? Or will Far Eastern U crash the party and set a Last Dance with the Lady Eagles instead?
Three days since battling in a roller-coaster five-setter that ended FEU’s way, the secondranked Lady Spikers and No. 3 Lady Tams dispute the remaining seat in the best-of-three championship series against early finalist Ateneo.
The Lady Tams forced the Lady Spikers to today’s 4 p.m. do-or-die setto at the MOA Arena on the strength of a dramatic 15-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-21, 16-14 come-from-behind victory last Sunday, giving themselves the opportunity to reach the finals for the first time since Season 71. “Para sa akin nasa amin ang momentum (I believe the momentum is on our side),” said FEU coach Shaq delos Santos, whose wards actually riding on a five-game winning streak dating back to the eliminations.
La Salle is putting the bitter episode behind and seeks to make the most of its second chance to make amends and clinch its eighth consecutive finals appearance.
“Move on na kami, kailangan
lang bawi talaga (We’re moving on and aim to bounce back strong),” said veteran Mika Reyes.
“Of course babawi. It’s now or never na, do or die,” vowed Cyd Demecillo, who personally blamed herself for two botched offensives that hastened DLSU’s doom in the fifth set against FEU.
Meanwhile, National U and Adamson, the second- and third-ranked teams in the men’s division, face off in a similar rubber match for a finals berth at 2 p.m. The Falcons defeated the Bulldogs, 23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 2522, Sunday.
The massive win firmed up FEU’s confidence in its own bid.
“Naniniwala kami sa sarili namin na kayang kaya namin
lumaban sa finals (We have faith in each other that we can compete in the finals),” said FEU star Bernadeth Pons.
As in the last five games, Pons is expected to take the cudgels for FEU with Remy Palma and Toni Rose Basas providing support. Libero Kyla Atienza, who had 38 digs last time, and setter Gyzelle Sy, who tossed 53 excellent sets, are also tipped to contribute.
On the other end, captain Kim Fajardo, who had 77 sets in the losing game, veterans Ara Galang, Reyes and Demecillo and top scorer Kim Dy are anticipated to take charge in DLSU’s redemption quest.
Three-peat-seeking Ateneo has already gained entry to the finals via a 25-19, 25-16, 25-21 dispatching of No. 4 University of the Philippines last Saturday.