ATENEO tries to fan its fiery second-round streak as it battles Adamson University anew, with the Lady Eagles hoping to clinch at least a playoff for a Final Four berth in Season 80 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball action today at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Eagles and Lady Falcons, two birds flying high in the second round, collide at 4 p.m.
National University (NU), meanwhile, tries to end a three-game skid when it tests the mettle of University of Santo Tomas (UST) at 2 p.m.
The erstwhile leaders Lady Bulldogs are all bark and no bite and lost all their three second-round games so far. They were swept by De La Salle and Ateneo and absorbed a frustrating 19-25, 15-25, 25-18, 13-25 defeat to Adamson University last Wednesday.
“They just need to grow. We were sad from our recent losses but the sun will shine again as soon as the players find joy in just working for excellence and working for exceeding themselves,” said NU Head Coach Babes Castillo, whose wards are facing an embattled UST (3-7).
But the day’s focus would be on the Ateneo-Adamson University clash.
The Lady Eagles, who seized solo second spot with a 7-3 card and remained undefeated in three games in the second round—they beat Far Eastern University, NU and labored for a 25-14, 18-25, 25-13, 25-18 win over University of the East—are looking to clinch at least a playoff for a Final Four berth.
“I think we just have to come out with a lot of energy,” said Lady Eagle Kat Tolentino, who has been consistently stabilizing the Tai Bundit-coached team in the second round.
Besides Tolentino, Skipper Maddie Madayag, Jho Maraguinot and Bea De Leon try to repeat their 25-18, 14-25, 25-18, 15-25, 15-10 first round win over the Lady Falcons.
But the Lady Falcons will not back down as they are trying to put a glimmer of hope on their Final Four campaign. They are currently at solo fifth slot with a 5-5 record.
“This is do or die for us. They know the energy in our training has been like that, when you’re playing to survive, you die if you don’t win, and we don’t want to kill our season,” Adamson University Head Coach Airess Padda said.
“We still want to keep fighting to the Final Four,” added Padda, whose wards are brimming with confidence following back-to-back wins over UE and NU.
Padda will continue to miss rookie Chiara Permentilla because of a sprained left ankle but has high hopes that skipper Jema Galanza, Mylene Paat, Eli Soyud and setter Fen Emnas would pull off surprises
In men’s action, Final four-bound top placer NU (9-1) eyes its 10th win against third placer Adamson University (4-6) at 10 a.m., while joint No.3 teams De La Salle and UST clash for separation at 8 a.m.