Far Eastern University goes for its fourth straight win when it meets University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Saturday, March 14.
Armed with all the momentum from a three-game win streak, the Lady Tamaraws appear to be in top form as they look to finish the first half of the season on a high note against the gritty Golden Tigresses, who are also aiming for a strong close to their opening-round campaign.
The exciting duel between the Gerz Petallo-led FEU (4-2) and the Angge Poyos-powered UST (3-3) is set at 3 p.m. which goes after a 1 p.m. showdown of Ateneo (0-6) and University of the East (0-6) with both teams looking to score their first win this year.
Fresh off a week-long break after a 25-13, 25-21, 25-16 win over University of the Philippines, FEU braces for a tough climb and vows to utilize its tactical ways against the UST side.
“Kami against UST… ‘yong game namin against sa kanila, it’s more on tactical, ‘yong gagamitin namin, based do’n sa nakikita namin sa laro nila, ayaw naming i-underestimate ang UST,” said FEU head coach Tina Salak.
Petallo and rising star Aly Devosora, on the other hand, are expected to be leading the Lady Tamaraws’ forefront alongside Cla Loresco, Jaz Ellarina, Faida Bakanke, Lovely Lopez, and seasoned setter Tin Ubaldo.
UST, despite its struggles, remains a force to be reckoned with as Poyos already slowly regains her old form that will surely help the Shaq Delos Santos-mentored crew which is bannered by Reg Jurado, Jonna Perdido, Cassie Carballo, and Detdet Pepito.
The Golden Tigresses, bolstered by a 16–25, 25–13, 25–19, 25–20 triumph over the Fighting Maroons, are out to silence some fans who continue to criticize the squad after they stumbled in its first two games and its most recent setback against the Adamson Lady Falcons.
“Mindset ng team ay one game at a time muna, tyinaga lang namin, kahit medyo alat ‘yong simula, talagang gusto naming bumawi,” said Poyos.
In men's division, Unbeaten FEU is closing in on another flawless opening round — but a red-hot UST squad stands in the way.
The league-leading Tamaraws seek to complete a first-round sweep when they cross paths with the surging Golden Spikers as the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament resumes Saturday, March 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
FEU and UST collide in the 11:00 a.m. main event, while the Ateneo Blue Eagles seek to steady their campaign against the UE Red Warriors in the 9:00 a.m. curtain-raiser.
Both matches will stream live on the Pilipinas Live app. It will also air on the UAAP Varsity Channel.
The Tamaraws improved to 6-0 after a commanding 25-14, 25-22, 28-26 win over the UP Fighting Maroons, with Amet Bituin leading the charge with 17 points.
The Morayta-based squad accomplished the same feat last season, sweeping the first round and not absorbing its first loss until the 10th game of the tournament before eventually finishing runner-up to the five-time defending champion NU Bulldogs.
But standing between FEU and another perfect opening round is a confident UST side riding a five-game winning streak.
The Golden Spikers are coming off a dominant 25-22, 25-18, 25-16 sweep of UP and are now tied with defending champion NU at 5-1 for second place.
Ateneo is hoping to rediscover its rhythm after stumbling in its last two matches.
The Blue Eagles slipped to 2-4 following a straight-set defeat to the Bulldogs via a 25-22, 25-23, 25-22 decision that left them tied with rival La Salle for fifth place in the standings.
Reigning MVP Kennedy Batas led Ateneo in the loss with 13 points and 10 excellent receptions.
A win against UE would allow the Blue Eagles to reinsert themselves into the top-four conversation heading into the second round.
The Red Warriors, however, are equally eager to snap a three-game skid and end their opening-round campaign on a positive note after dropping to 1-5 following a four-set loss to La Salle.
