MANILA, Philippines - La Salle and Ateneo bring their women’s volley rivalry to a higher level as they clash today in what is tipped to be a dogfight for the solo lead in the UAAP Season 79 tournament at the MOA Arena in Pasay.
Facing off for the first time in 11 months minus their former stars, the Lady Spikers and the Lady Eagles slug it out at 4 p.m., each looking not only for a big close out to their first round elims campaign but also for the solo lead.
The arch rivals have won five and lost one each to lead a surging Far Eastern U and a skidding University of the Philippines sides, which tote identical 4-2 cards, while University of Santo Tomas and National U are tied for fifth at 3-3.
La Salle and Ateneo now have a different look from the last time they crossed paths last April 30, 2016 when the Taft-based squad unseated its counterpart from Katipunan for the championship.
A slew of top players, led by Ara Galang and Mika Reyes, are gone, but La Salle remains solid with holdovers Kim Fajardo, Kim Dy, Majoy Baron and Dawn Macandili playing solid as ever and freshmen Aduke Ogunsanya, Tin Tiamzon and Desiree Cheng dishing out decent games.
Despite the graduation of Alyssa Valdez, Ateneo still stays as a top contender with playmaker Jia Morado boasting of a host of options, including Jho Maraguinot, Bea de Leon, Michelle Morente and Kat Tolentino, while libero Gizelle Tan has improved significantly in her game.
Lady Eagles head coach Tai Bundit, for sure, has something on his sleeves to halt the Lady Spikers’ three-game winning run.
“One has to have confidence when playing against La Salle. We hope we keep it going,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sherwin Meneses.
Coach Ramil de Jesus, whose Lady Spikers topped the Lady Eagles in three of their five championship meetings since 2012, is bracing for a tough match-up although he remains upbeat having the league’s best setters in Fajardo and Morado.
“It’s in the system. Though we have lost some of our stars, we still have Morado and Fajardo. But it will be a question of setting up plays,” said De Jesus.
Meanwhile, winners of combined 43 championships but none since the 2009-10 season, the Lady Tamaraws, on a three-game run, and the Tigresses collide in an equally explosive match at 2 p.m.
First round action will end tomorrow at the same Pasay venue with UP and NU clashing at 4 p..m., right after University of the East and Adamson University tangle in a duel of winless teams at 2 p.m.
In the men’s division, the Blue Eagles (6-0) shoot for the first round sweep against the Green Spikers (2-4) at 10 a.m.