DEFENDING champion National University eyes a big follow-up to its impressive season-opening win over De La Salle when it clashes with Ateneo today, Wednesday, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Ranged against a Blue Eagles side decimated by injuries, new coach Sherwin Meneses wants the Lady Bulldogs to sustain the high level of play they showed in their 25-23, 25-21, 25-18 sweep of the Lady Spikers.
The match is set at 11 a.m.
“Champion team na ‘yung NU. Sinasabihan lang namin na one point at a time lang. Talagang dapat trabahuhin ‘yung pag-defend ng crown,” said Meneses, a seven-time champion coach with Creamline.
Ateneo opened its season with a heartbreaking 25-21, 25-20, 12-25, 15-25, 12-15 defeat to Adamson University, where the Katipunan-based side lost Zel Tsunashima to a leg injury late in the fifth set. The Blue Eagles were also without injured hitters Sobe Buena and JLo Delos Santos, who could have helped the team’s top options, Lyann de Guzman and AC Miner.
The Lady Bulldogs are potent as ever with the core of reigning MVP Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Vange Alinsug, Erin Pangilinan, setter Lams Lamina, and libero Shaira Jardio..
At 5PM, FEU lady tams clash with UP lady maroons
In the men’s division, five-peat-seeking NU plays fellow opening-day winner Ateneo at 9 a.m.
Meanwhile, FEU Tams clash with UP Fighting Maroons at 3PM.
