Shevana Laput of De La Salle University in action against University of Santo Tomas in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball. UAAP Media.MANILA — Rivals De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas face off in a high-stakes early afternoon showdown in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball, Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Spikers aim to extend their unbeaten streak to nine matches against a Tigresses team looking to force a three-way tie for second place. The match starts at 1 p.m.
Later, at 3 p.m., Adamson University, hoping to stay within the top four, clashes with Ateneo de Manila University to cap another women's doubleheader.
La Salle is slowly pulling away from its closest pursuers with a perfect 8-0 record. The Lady Spikers came from behind to overcome Adamson last Saturday, rallying from two five-point deficits late in the fourth set to win, 25-19, 17-25, 25-23, 25-23.
Assistant coach Noel Orcullo noted that, as in past encounters, La Salle will have to grind it out against UST, which at 5-3 holds a one-game lead over Adamson (4-4) in the race for the final Final Four berth.
The Lady Spikers previously overcame a tough Tigresses stand in the third set to win their first-round meeting last Feb. 22, 25-14, 25-15, 26-24. Orcullo acknowledged that the straight-sets victory was not easy.
"Yung first round talagang pinagaaralan talaga nila kami. Ito na yung totoong laban. Second round, naka-adjust na lahat ng team; nakita na lahat kung ano yung mga weaknesses, ano yung strengths ng bawat team. So kung ano man yung adjustment na gagawin namin, adjustments na gagawin ng UST, i-wo-work na lang namin yun," said Orcullo.
With the Tigresses expected to play with urgency, Angel Canino, the league's second-best spiker and No. 6 scorer, emphasized the need to strengthen La Salle’s net defense.
"Kami siguro will focus na lang dun sa kung anong mga nakita namin 'yung mali sa game na ito. And kung anong kailangang gawin na in-game adjustment against UST. And siyempre siguro, of course, yung blocking namin. Kailangan talaga kaming mag-focus dun sa blocking, sa depensa, and of course, sa service. And ayan lang naman, yung mga in-game adjustments lang namin against UST, yun yung kailangan namin gawin. And of course, mag-focus kasi another game na naman," Canino said.
Amie Provido, the league's No. 2 blocker, is a force in the middle alongside Lilay del Castillo, while Shevana Laput is a major contributor in defending the net.
UST comes into the match riding a three-game winning streak, despite a challenging week that includes preparing for this second-round stretch and a clash with traditional rival Far Eastern University at QPav on Sunday.
"Of course, yung scouting report din ng coaches para ma-feed din sa mga players. And then, yung connection na sinasabi kasi yun talaga yung magma-matter dyan. Medyo challenging lang, siyempre, for us, these coming weeks, kasi start din ng prelims ng mga bata. But again, hindi naman siya reason. Kaya talagang mag-prepare talaga kami para sa Wednesday game. Hopefully, makuha namin yung panalo," Tigresses assistant coach Yani Fernandez said.
Poyos, the tournament's No. 1 spiker and third-best scorer, said UST is finally getting on the same page after opening the season at 2-3.
"Siguro isa rin pong factor na umaangat din po yung laro namin kasi nagpe-perform hindi lang po ako kundi yung team, so talagang collective effort ito, lalo na sa second round na need talaga naming mag-step up, hindi lang yung mga wing, yung mga middle or setter, so need talagang collective effort," Poyos said.
A UST win would force a three-way tie with FEU and defending champion National University at 6-3, boosting their Final Four bid and contention for the coveted No. 2 spot.
Meanwhile, the Lady Falcons aim to repeat their season-opening 25-19, 25-18, 25-10 victory over the Blue Eagles, led by the 1-2 scoring punch of Shai Nitura and Nigeria's Frances Mordi.
Ateneo, with a 1-7 record, focuses on improving after giving UST fits in the first set before falling 25-21, 11-25, 22-25, 12-25 last Saturday.
In the men’s division, UST tries to solidify its hold on third place against La Salle, which has won four straight, at 9 a.m. Ateneo seeks to remain in the top-four race when it faces Adamson at 11 a.m.
The Golden Spikers have a 5-3 record, while the Green Spikers and the Blue Eagles are locked in a tight battle for fourth at 4-4.