Unbeaten Ateneo, La Salle target 3rd straight win

MANILA, Philippines – Rivals Ateneo and La Salle seek to stay unbeaten and ahead of the field today when they face separate opponents in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament at the MOA Arena.

Showing their fiery form in the first two games, the Lady Eagles aim to sustain their streak at 2 p.m. against the Far Eastern U Lady Tams (1-1) while the Lady Spikers target the same objective versus the National U Lady Bulldogs (1-1) at 4 p.m.

Stretching back to finals of Season 76, Ateneo is actually 20-0 overall but skipper Alyssa Valdez said coach Tai Bundit always reminds them to keep their feet on the ground.

“We don’t think as much about the streak. Although it gives us confidence, usually coach Tai (keeps it in check and) doesn’t stop from giving us hard training,” said Valdez.

The Lady Eagles defeated the UST Tigresses last Sunday, 25-22, 25-20, 21-25, 25-15, in a game where they actually struggled a bit on reception.

Valdez said they won’t take the Lady Tams (1-1) – or any other team – lightly.

“It’s anybody’s ballgame, wala tayong masasabi talaga kung sino (there’s really no heavy favorite or underdog). It’s an interesting season so we have to prepare not only for FEU, but for every team. We have to apply kung ano pinapagawa ni coach Tai (coach’s gameplan),” said Valdez.

“We have to be at our best; we have to play smart and be 100 percent focused mentally and physically,” said FEU coach Shaq delos Santos.

With Ara Galang back, La Salle has also been impressive in victories over FEU and UP. Lady Spikers’ coach Ramil de Jesus even had the luxury of using a different starting six in their first two outings with similar results, showcasing the depth of the squad.

NU mentor Roger Gorayeb said the Lady Bulldogs need to come out with a lot of energy against an inspired DLSU side.

“We can see their championship spirit and the way the return of Galang has inspired and driven them more,” said Gorayeb.

In men’s play, holder Ateneo guns for its third straight victory and the solo lead against Adamson (1-1) at 10 a.m. after the 8 a.m. encounter between the Tams (1-1) and University of the East (0-2).