UAAP volleyball: Lady Spikers seek share of lead with Lady Bulldogs

By Kristel Satumbaga

Games Tuesday

(Mall of Asia Arena)

2 p.m. – UP vs La Salle (men’s)

4 p.m. – UP vs La Salle (women’s)

De La Salle guns for a share of the lead with National University in UAAP Season 82 women’s volleyball when it squares off with University of the Philippines Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Match is at 4 p.m. with the Lady Spikers drawing strength from their 25-17, 17-25, 25-17, 25-15 victory over archrival Ateneo Lady Eagles last Saturday.

Though the triumph set the tone for their title campaign this season, Lady Spikers coach Ramil De Jesus said they also saw things that needed improvement.

In that match, the Lady Spikers gave up 33 points on errors.

“Sa ganitong mga game, di mo maiwasan lalo na sa mga bata. Sabi ko lang sa kanila, kalma lang. Andyan yung first game jitters pero nakita naman natin kahit bata yung players, madali naman silang makabalik. Tiwala lang,” he said.

The win, however, gave them enough confidence heading to their match against the Lady Maroons, a team they lost twice to last season.

“Ibang position na yung team ngayon so siguro mas mapaghahandaan namin itong UP. Mas may tao kami ngayon. Mas maganda tong nakauna ng panalo kasi inspired mga bata,” De Jesus said.

Veteran Tin Tiamzon, sophomore Jolina Dela Cruz and rookie Thea Gagate are expected to carry the fight once again for La Salle after combining for 40 points the last time.

The Lady Maroons, for their part, is coming off a 25-23, 25-20, 18-25, 25-17 win over the University of the East Lady Warriors to improve to 1-1.

Issa Molde and Tots Carlos spearhead the Lady Maroons after firing 24 and 15 points against UE and will have reinforcements from Justine Dorog, Maristela Layug and Roselyn Rosier.

Meanwhile, La Salle and UP’s male counterparts collide in the 2 p.m. opener with the Maroons seeking their second win in three matches.

The Green Spikers, for their part, aim to bounce back from a 25-20, 2519, 27-25 loss to the Ateneo Eagles over the weekend.

Source: Manila Bulletin