By Kristel Satumbaga
Games Tuesday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
2 p.m. – UE vs FEU (men’s)
3:30 p.m. – UE vs FEU (women’s)
Far Eastern University and University of the East raise the curtain of UAAP Season 82 volleyball today when they battle in the men’s and women’s divisions at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Tamaraws and the Warriors clash in the 2 p.m. opener followed by their female counterparts at 3:30 p.m. to jumpstart this year’s hostilities after a two-week delay caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
In this file photo, the FEU Lady Tamaraws huddle up during their UAAP Season 81 volleyball game against the NU Lady Bulldogs. (MB File Photo)
The tournament was originally scheduled to start last Feb. 15, but was pushed back along with the rest of the second semester events.
The Tams are expected to fire up their title bid and erase memories of last season’s title loss to the National University Bulldogs with JP Bugaoan and Jude Garcia at the helm. The duo boasts of last year’s First Best Middle Blocker and Second Best Outside Spiker awards.
The Warriors, for their part, hope to eclipse their seventh place finish last year where they only won two out of 14 games.
Like their male counterparts, the Lady Tamaraws also seek to surpass their Final Four finish last season despite losing key players Jerrili Malabanan and Heather Guino-o.
Lycha Ebon will suit up for the squad after her an ACL injury halted her debut season in the middle of the second-round elims. The ace spiker will join forces with skipper and veteran setter Gel Cayuna to banner the squad.
The Lady Warriors are also out to improve last season’s performance where they finished seventh with a 3-11 record.
This year, matches will be played Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays to make up for the delay.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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