First-round leader Ateneo tests the mettle of University of Santo Tomas at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
“We really have to put in more effort and sacrifice,” said coach Oliver Almadro, who took over from Tai Bundit in the off-season.
“Hopefully the positivity and energy will manifest in the second round,” he added.
Behind the heads-up plays of Kat Tolentino and Maddie Madayag and the unquestioned leadership displayed by Bea de Leon all-tournament long, the Lady Eagles, who were supposed to be on a rebuilding mode, are looking good to make a return trip to the top.
Ateneo found its rhythm after a season-opening loss to defending three-time champion De La Salle by winning six consecutive victories to rule the first round.
The Lady Eagles are wary of the Tigresses, who finished the first round with a three-match winning streak to level with the Lady Spikers in second place at 5-2.
Enjoying its best first round campaign since the 2009-10 season, UST hardly felt the loss of injured Milena Alessandrini with the league-leading scorers Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure doing the damage with some help from Dimdim Pacres.
The Tigresses’ winning run would not be possible without rookie playmaker Mafe Galanza, whom coach Kungfu Reyes considered as a “blessing” for the España-based squad that is looking to make a return trip in the Final Four after missing the bus last year.
“So malaking bagay, napakalaking blessing ng bata para sa amin. Sana ganoon din kami sa kanya,” said Reyes, referring to Galanza.
Going up against last year’s Best Setter Deanna Wong, Galanza will definitely be the key for UST to avenge its 21-25, 18-25, 25-16, 22-25 loss to Ateneo last Feb. 20.
“Siyempre well-experienced si Alina (Bicar), pero kung makikita mo doon sa stat at sa positioning ng spiker, kung sinong pinaka-magandang magpagalaw ng tao, doon kami pupunta,” said Reyes. “Nagkataon na si Mafe, very composed, hindi mo makitaan ng nagdududa sa sarili or anything, talagang laro lang siya.”
National University (2-5) and University of the East (1-6) collide in the first game at 2 p.m.
In the men’s division, Far Eastern University puts its seven-game winning run on the line against Ateneo at 10 a.m., while titleholder NU tries to solidify its hold of second spot as it tangles with Adamson University at 8 a.m.