The second round of the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball will be immediately kicking off this Saturday, and it's already a doozy.
These eight teams will be in for a lot of hardship before heading to the Holy Week break. But it's also a chance for payback after a grueling first round.
Fans though are considered blessed to witness a lot of exciting volleyball action this weekend. Here's what to expect from the March 25 slate.
9 a.m. - Ateneo (6th) vs UE (8th)
Live on UAAP Varsity Channel, join in progress on One Sports (10 a.m.)
The Ateneo Blue Eagles (2-5) find themselves at the lower half of the bracket after the first round, but they ended on a good note with a victory over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. With the jitters shaken off, this is a chance for the Katipunan squad to provide much-needed aid to top scorer Faith Nisperos and take a second straight win. And it could be a boost of confidence, since they're facing the University of the East Lady Red Warriors, the team they first beat, 3-1.
UE (0-7) has yet to pick up a win this season, but the Red Warriors certainly proved they can fight. Top scorers KC Cepada and Van Bangayan showed they can dish it out and snatch sets against the likes of the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses and the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws. They just have to learn to close it out.
11 a.m. - UST (4th) vs Adamson (2nd)
Live on UAAP Varsity Channel and One Sports
Two teams with identical 5-2 records will clash in the afternoon. In the first round, the Adamson Lady Falcons swept UST but that may not be the case this Saturday.
Top setter Louie Romero has seen what the Golden Tigresses can do, and rookie Cassie Carballo is growing in her role for the squad in gold. Expect a lot of firepower with the likes of top scorers Eya Laure for UST and Kate Santiago for Adamson, a battle of young guns Regina Jurado and Trisha Tubu, and a lot of long rallies thanks to top receivers Bernadette Pepito and Karen Verdeflor.
3 p.m. - FEU (5th) vs UP (7th)
Live on UAAP Varsity Channel and One Sports
The third matchup of the day is a showdown between the relentless Lady Tamaraws and the scrappy Fighting Maroons.
FEU sits in the middle with a 3-4 record, beating UE in five sets but bowing to the National University Lady Bulldogs, 3-0. UP holds a 1-6 record, having lost both to Adamson and Ateneo by the end of the first round. When they faced each other, the Lady Tamaraws got the upper hand against the Fighting Maroons, 3-1.
But Coach Tina Salak's squad has grown to be a determined squad, leading all schools when it comes to digs. That's mostly thanks to their tireless libero, Marga Encarnacion, who has lodged 118 digs in the first round—the most for any player. Watch out for Jovelyn Fernandez, who has tallied 74 attacks, 9 blocks, and 6 aces for the team.
Coach Shaq delos Santos' team is not to be underestimated though. After voicing out issues regarding the lack of support, the Fighting Maroons have been improving this season. Middle blocker Nina Ytang has been particularly stellar with 18 kill blocks to her name, followed by opposite spiker Stephanie Bustrillo with 10.
5 p.m. - DLSU (1st) vs NU (3rd)
Live on UAAP Varsity Channel and One Sports
Finally, it's the rematch fans didn't expect to witness so soon after Wednesday, but it's a showdown they would welcome to see.
Defending champions NU (5-2) got a taste of the humble pie after their Season 84 finals opponent dealt them their own straight-sets loss.
This is a different kind of De La Salle Lady Spikers (7-0), who have swept the competition so far. Everyone is clicking for this squad in green. They have a super rookie and top scorer in Angel Canino, and an all-around ate in Jolina dela Cruz. Thea Gagate is the top blocker for the season. Mars Alba is an offense-oriented setter and a monster at the service line.
But the Lady Bulldogs, while finding themselves on shaky grounds, should not be written out. After all, Alyssa Solomon shares the spot with Canino for most points at 112. While they are not the top dogs they were last year, the program proves NU is still solid as a whole. The Bulldogs are actually number one as a squad when it comes to spiking, serving, setting, and receiving. As reigning MVP Bella Belen said, they just have to get that hunger back.
