University of Santo Tomas and Adamson University collide in an explosive match-up featuring the league’s top scorers Angge Poyos and Shai Nitura, while defending champion National University takes on University of the East in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena Saturday.
Poyos, who is currently second behind Nitura in scoring, is looking forward to their first-ever showdown in college as the Tigresses and the Lady Falcons vie for their third win at 2 p.m.
“Nagkaharap na kami ni Shai nu’ng high school days namin sa UAAP, so, in-expect ko talaga na magaling siya and maraming variations ‘yung palo niya so expect sa Saturday na maganda ‘yung laban ng team sa team ng Adamson,” said Poyos, who led UST to a championship appearance in her rookie season last year.
Nitura has made a lot of waves after three matches, highlighted by her 33-point outburst, the highest scoring performance by any rookie ever in the league, on opening weekend.
The former girls MVP, who led the Baby Falcons to a breakthrough championship last year before staying put to San Marcelino for college, is looking forward to meeting again some of her former high school rivals from the Junior Tigresses program.
“Nakalaban po namin ‘yung mga ibang players before, pero of course, nagte-training sila, nag-i-improve sila, same lang din sa other teams at sa amin. We’re gonna train more to improve more,” said Nitura.
UST and Adamson are locked in a three-way tie in second place with idle University of the Philippines at 2-1.
The Lady Bulldogs are the only unbeaten team with a perfect 3-0 record.
The Tigresses hope to muster a lot of energy in their showdown with the Lady Falcons.
Coming off a 25-13, 22-25, 13-25, 25-23, 15-13 conquest over De La Salle in a grueling five-setter between the two storied rivals last Wednesday, Yani Fernandez, coach Kungfu Reyes’ trusted assistant, knows that the fitness of the players will be the key factor if UST wants to pull through against Adamson.
The Lady Falcons quickly defeated the Lady Warriors 25-20, 25-15, 25-12 last Wednesday.
NU is not taking UE lightly in the other women’s match at 4 p.m.
It was the first time that NU was dragged to a five-setter this season, and Meneses liked how his team responded even after FEU took two of the first three sets.
The Lady Warriors, who are starting to feel the effects of a shorthanded roster, are hoping to give the Lady Bulldogs a good fight as they try to move out from a 0-3 start.
In the men’s division, UST and NU seek to remain in joint second as they take on Adamson and UE, respectively, starting at 10 a.m.
Coach Odjie Mamon liked what the way the Golden Spikers, as they won two in a row even without injured reigning MVP Josh Ybañez, responded as everyone in the team delivered in their respective roles.
Games Saturday (SM Mall of Asia Arena)
10 a.m. – UST vs AdU (Men)
12 noon – NU vs UE (Men)
2 p.m. – UST vs AdU (Women)
4 p.m. – NU vs UE (Women)