FAR Eastern University, aiming for its elusive first winning streak of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament, faces a tough test against Ateneo today (Wednesday) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After alternating wins and losses in their first four matches, the Lady Tamaraws are not taking the Blue Eagles lightly in the 3 p.m. main game.
“Okay, pero, naiinggit nga ako eh, maraming parang, siyempre, playing against La Salle, naka-isang set (sila), kami hindi. So, ‘di ba? Parang ganoon na, wine-weigh. Never underestimate ‘yung kalaban. Lahat tayo, during this season, may mga ups and downs. So, ‘di natin alam kung ano talaga mangyayari,” said coach Tina Salak, referring to Ateneo stealing a set against unbeaten La Salle last Sunday.
It was the first time the Lady Spikers dropped a set this season, but the league leaders bounced back to beat the Blue Eagles, 25-14, 21-25, 25-15, 25-17. FEU, meanwhile, lost in straight sets to De La Salle, 19-25, 14-25, 25-27, in the season opener.
The short turnaround from last Sunday’s 22-25, 30-28, 25-17, 25-20 win over Adamson University means Salak’s squad needs proper recovery and focus. Incidentally, the Lady Tamaraws and the Blue Eagles are among the league’s best in digging, ranked second and third, respectively.
“Pareho-pareho lang naman. Either Ateneo side man or FEU side, but still, hindi kami rin hihinto nang nanalo na kami tonight. Dire-diretso lang,” Salak added.
The Blue Eagles may have failed to end their 16-match losing streak against the Lady Spikers, but for rookie Ana Hermosura, the team’s recent performance gives a glimmer of hope despite starting the season 0-4.
“For me po, it’s a big win for us. Since yung players, yung starters din namin is like, puro po rookies and sophomores. So, for me po, it’s a big win for the team. And sa experience din po namin,” Hermosura said.
“I think for me po, mas mai-improve pa po namin yung strong mind namin during the game. I think kulang pa po kami sa experience-wise and composure-wise as a team,” added the Tay Tung product.
Three-peat seeking National University, coming off a tough five-set loss to University of the Philippines, aims to bounce back against University of the East at 1 p.m.
The Lady Bulldogs, tied with the Fighting Maroons at 3-1, will rely on last season’s co-Finals MVP Vangie Alinsug, as rookie Sam Cantada’s status remains uncertain. Cantada suffered an apparent right shin injury in the third set of NU’s 25-16, 25-16, 22-25, 29-31, 16-18 defeat to UP after colliding with libero IC Cepada while trying to keep the ball in play.
Still searching for a win after four matches, the Lady Warriors hope to be competitive against the Lady Bulldogs, who have several reliable hitters ready if Cantada is sidelined.
In the men’s division, leaders FEU try to extend their perfect run against Ateneo at 11 a.m., while six-peat seeking NU aims for solo second against UE at 9 a.m.
Coach Eddieson Orcullo knows the Tamaraws must remain consistent and anticipate what the 2-2 Blue Eagles could throw at them.
“Siguro huwag lang magpakampante talaga,” Orcullo said. “Magpe-prepare kami para sa match namin sa Wednesday against Ateneo. Hello kay Coach Vince (Mangulabnan), magkasama kami niyan (at PVL club Akari) at matibay din siyang coach. Magpe-prepare kami nang maigi.”
Despite holding a 3-1 record, coach Dante Alinsunurin is still seeking the “real Bulldogs” to show up.
“Sa performance namin today (against UP), medyo marami pa akong hinahanap. Siguro sa first two games namin, nakikita ko na nandoon, kaso sobrang naging factor ‘yung naging tatlong sunod-sunod na game talaga. Sa ngayon, marami pa kaming puwedeng gawin at dapat gawin. Isa na rin sa titingnan namin ay ‘yung conditioning namin, dapat maitama namin every time na may game,” Alinsunurin said.
All games air live on the Pilipinas Live app, One Sports, and the UAAP Varsity Channel.
