Lady Chiefs face Cards in NC volley opener

Games today (Filoil Arena, San Juan) 8 a.m. – SSC-R vs EAC (jrs) 9:30 a.m. – SSC-R vs EAC (m) 11 a.m. – Opening Ceremony 12 noon – SSC-R vs EAC (w) 1:30 p.m. – AU vs MU (w) 3 p.m. – AU vs MU (m)

Arellano U kicks off its titleretention drive against Mapua while San Sebastian tangles with Emilio Aguinaldo College today at the start of Season 93 of the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

But while the Lady Chiefs will parade an almost intact roster led by Regine Arocha, Necole Ebuen, Andrea Marzan and Jovielyn Prado against the Lady Cardinals at 1:30 p.m., the Lady Stags will be without former ace Grethcel Soltones when they face the Lady Generals at 12 noon.

AU, to be handled by Obet Javier, hopes to ride on its successful campaign last year that saw the Lady Chiefs defy overwhelming odds, including a fancied SSC team in the finals to claim their second NCAA crown.

This time, however, AU will be the favored team as SSC has been reduced to a nine-player squad following the graduation of Soltones. The Lady Stags will now be led by Juliane Tiangco, who is expected to take up a bigger role following the departure of the former SSC veterans.

Coach Roger Gorayeb will pin his hopes on Alyssa Eroa, Vira May Guillema, Joyce Sta. Rita and Dangie Encarnacion – and hopes they will be spared of injuries.

“We’re still a fighting team but we have to avoid injuries,” said Gorayeb.

Gorayeb also said they have moved on from last year’s setback and look forward to another championship-caliber team.

“After this year, we have four or five recruits coming in and we expect them to really make a significant impact on the team right away,” said Gorayeb.