Key UAAP volley matches up today

MANILA, Philippines - Four teams step up their Final Four drive in a pair of explosive matches in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan today.

University of the Philippines tries to bounce back from a stinging straight-set loss to Ateneo last Sunday as it tangles with a surging Far Eastern U side at 2 p.m. while National U also seeks to rebound from a recent loss against another team on a comeback trail – University of Santo Tomas – at 4 p.m.

But focus will be on the Lady Maroons, who will try to erase the stigma of their surprise 14-25, 19-25, 21-25 setback to the Lady Eagles last Sunday. The loss snapped their four-game win run.

Dropping to solo third, UP is now half a game behind co-leaders La Salle and Ateneo, who tote identical 5-1 cards, while FEU and NU share fourth with 3-2 cards. UST, on the other hand, is one game out of the top four with a 2-3 slate.

Against FEU, UP will be facing a team riding the crest of back-to-back wins, highlighted by a 25-20, 25-13, 22-25, 25-20 conquest of the Lady Bulldogs last Saturday.

Coach Shaq delos Santos has stressed the need for his wards to dish out consistent games if they want to go further.

“Hopefully this win run will boost their confidence. I’ve been telling them that we should win our last three games in the first round and that we shouldn’t wait for the second round to make our move,” said Delos Santos.

With Chin-Chin Basas getting back into the groove and Bernadeth Pons and Jerrili Malabanan producing huge numbers, the Lady Tamaraws will be such a dangerous team to beat.

The Tigresses, meanwhile, have yet to beat a Final Four contender this season but coach Kungfu Reyes is upbeat of his wards chances.

“It’s all about timing and decisions,” said Reyes after UST made quick work of Adamson University, 25-13, 25-12, 25-9.

Cherry Rondina and EJ Laure will lead the Tigresses.

 as Reyes is hoping to get additional offense from others.

 aside from his two main hitters.

After opening the season with three straight wins including a shock win over Ateneo, NU stumbled in the last two games, which is a cause of concern for coach Roger Gorayeb.

Middle hitters Jaja Santiago and Risa Sato were the only ones who are stepping up for the Lady Bulldogs on offense as Jorelle Singh and Aiko Urdas are struggling in the last two matches.

“Kahit anong gagawin namin, nauuna ang takot nila,” said Gorayeb. “Ayos naman yung dati, hindi ko alam kung bakit nagkakaganoon.”

In the men’s division, NU (4-1) and UST (3-2) collide in the featured 10 a.m. match, while FEU (3-2) and UP (3-2) take on the floor at 8 a.m.