DEFENDING champion De La Salle tries to extend its grip of the solo lead when it faces Far Eastern University (FEU) in Season 80 University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball action today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Lady Spikers, who have won seven of their nine games, are gunning for their fourth straight win against the No. 3 Lady Tamaraws (6-3) in the 4 p.m. battle.
University of the East (UE), on the other hand, targets its third straight win and a season sweep against struggling Adamson University at 2 p.m.
Oozing with confidence after winning their first back-to-back matches in six years, the seventh place Lady Warriors (2-6) try to keep their slim Final Four hopes alive against the Lady Falcons, who are on a two-game skid to be at fifth place with a 3-5 card.
“Perseverance and patience, these are the reasons why the girls are improving,” said UE interim Coach and Athletic Director Rod Roque, who turned the Lady Warriors from cellar dwellers into probable contenders. “I am very happy because all of them are obedient and have become players now.”
The day’s second match features two of the best serving and receiving teams in the league.
The Lady Tamaraws served 19 aces to push University of Santo Tomas to the brink of elimination with a 25-21, 25-21, 25-23 victory last Wednesday.
The Lady Spikers, on the other hand, nailed 15 service aces to make a short work of University of the Philippines, 25-15, 25-19, 25-19, in their last outing.
De La Salle Head Coach Ramil de Jesus is happy to see his wards—led by Majoy Baron, Kianna Dy, Des Cheng, Michelle Cobb and Dawn Macandili—playing well again.
But he stressed that repeating their 25-22, 25-17, 24-26, 23-25, 15-7 first-round win over FEU would not be easy.
“FEU is also good in terms of blockings, service and receive and they have veteran players,” de Jesus said. “The outcome of our game will depend on whoever receives the ball better.”