UAAP women's volley: UP finds its groove; NU's potential; more questions for FEU

MANILA, Philippines — Were there any surprises for the weekend UAAP women’s volleyball matches? Not exactly.

However, it is in the manner that they won.

Ateneo started the weekend with a four-set win over NU (23-25, 25-17,25-23, 25-17). De La Salle swept FEU (25-15, 25-19, 26-24). UST also gave UE the broom (25-18, 25-14, 25-20) while UP bounced back against Adamson (25-27, 25-14, 25-12, 25-21).

Here are four points to take from those games:

That might be the win UP needs to get over the hump

The Fighting Lady Maroons went down 27-25 in the first set. They looked shaky and befuddled. At times, even clumsy. This was that moment where they could have folded. But no. They came back in the second set and shredded Adamson that has its own confidence issues.

UP began to smile and play better and in my opinion the latter is also due to the contributions of Jesma Ramos who I have wondered why she hasn’t played much. Their late season success from last year and to the pre-season tourneys saw Ramos become a big factor. 

She provides that 1-2 punch in the middle along with Marist Layug. And when the two are cooking, UP is tough to beat.

Adamson though… 

NU is just poised to become really good

Over the weekend, libero Jennifer Nierva took to Twitter asking what this team needs to get over the hump in the second round. I answered Nierva who became a friend during our BaliPure NU days, “It is a team that is learning the college game with mostly new and a few veteran pieces. At this point, there is no substitute for hard won experience that will make you grow and get better. But right now, leadership!”

I stand by that. Someone needs to take charge whether it’s the amazing dynamo that is Princess Robles or middle hitter Rose Doria. This team needs someone to badger, snarl, encourage and lead the team through thick or thin. 

They are good. But they will lose Doria and Audrey Paran to graduation and begin the process all over again. But make no mistake, they are good.

Questions more for FEU than DLSU

I had this thought last year. FEU’s championship was getting past Ateneo in the semifinals. I figured they didn’t have the moxie to take down DLSU and it showed. And it is still there. It was more of the same effort from last year’s finals. 

Right now, it is all about raising the level of their game. Taking it to another level because what they are showing isn’t going to beat the defending champs. 

And Heather Guino-o has to show up.

Ateneo reaches deep

This was a game where NU was planting seeds of doubt. And all of a sudden it was like Season 76 with the Lady Bulldogs yapping at the Lady Eagles and the latter found their inner strength to upset NU en route to its championship run.

Except this NU team doesn’t yap. They just play the game. The point I am getting at is Ateneo reached deep and found their resolve in the face of a challenge where a loss could have caused a lot of implications in the standings.

What they have to like? Deanna Wong really raising her game. Bea De Leon finding her groove. And Ponggay Gaston playing more consistently.