WITH only a week since the action-packed weekend, the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament will feature another double-header drama on Sunday, March 23, with the top four teams squaring off.
There’s no doubt that the SM Mall of Asia Arena will be packed once more, as their favorite contending teams enter taraflex with their second-round seeding and hopes of entering the Final Four on the line.
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The University of Santo Tomas (5-2) Golden Tigresses will begin the game hoping to avenge their devastating opening-day loss to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws (4-3).
Meanwhile, the defending champions National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs will try to complete a season sweep of De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers in the main event of the highly anticipated doubleheader.
Morayta-España Duel
UST and FEU are preparing for another classic neighbor clash, with the España-based team ready to bounce back against the Morayta-based squad that has defeated them in their opening day bout.
The Lady Tamaraws pulled off an outstanding win against the Golden Tigresses in their first round match, 25-19, 16-25, 25-14, 25-20, startling last season’s runner-up on the opening day.
Faida Bakanke, FEU’s Congolese opposite spiker, topped the squad in scoring with 16 points from 14 attacks and two blocks. Gerzel Petallo contributed 15 points, with eight attacks, five blocks, and two aces.
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However, following that setback, UST has gone on a five-game winning streak, despite an injury-plagued start to the season. Still, there’s a lot to improve on, especially coming up against a hungry FEU squad.
“Dapat i-push namin yung team,” team captain Detdet Pepito told the media. “Marami pa kaming pagtatrabahuhan. Tiya-tiyagain talaga namin, kasi unexpected naman na ganito ‘yung magiging record namin.”
Meanwhile, both of these teams are coming off challenging losses. UST fell short against National U in their five-set match, while FEU was swept 3-0 by La Salle in a swag-filled clash.
Battle of Champions
The afternoon’s main event will pit reigning champions NU versus DLSU, who has been performing better late in the first round of the tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs were the better champions in their first battle against the Lady Spikers, sweeping them 25-23, 25-21, and 25-18, handing DLSU head coach Ramil de Jesus his first opening-day loss since Season 75.
Despite dominating the first round, the Jhocson-based club is eager to turn the page and remain grounded as they enter a harder second round, where tweaks and more peaking teams will emerge.
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“Hindi namin siya in-expect, na mas-sweep namin yung first round. Ang goal lang naman namin is mag champion, so one game at a time lang kami,” the outgoing Bella Belen told the media.
“Dapat yung eagerness namin sa paglalaro andoon palagi. Since second round na, maga-adjust lahat ng teams at magkakaroon ng familiarity sa isa’t isa. So dapat, kailangan pa naming mag step up pa lalo,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Adamson Lady Falcons will face the UE Lady Warriors on Sunday, followed by the “Battle of Katipunan” between the UP Fighting Maroons and the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday at the same Pasay venue.
