FINAL Four-bound Ateneo de Manila has an added motivation in trying to inch closer to a twice-to-beat advantage as the Lady Eagles seek payback against National University (NU) today in Season 79 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Scheduled at 4 p.m., Ateneo eyes revenge from its 17-25, 13-25, 25-19, 27-29 defeat to NU, the only loss so far for Lady Eagles in 10 matches this season.
University of the Philippines (UP) tries to improve on its 5-5 win-loss card and keep its Final Four bid on track as it faces already-ousted Adamson University, which has yet to win after 10 games, at 2 p.m.
That loss to the Lady Bulldogs turned out to be a booster for the Lady Eagles who were never beaten after that for a league-leading 9-1 card that guaranteed them a Final Four berth.
The Lady Bulldogs, on the other hand, are blowing hot and cold in the season to find themselves tied for third place with idle University of Santo Tomas on a 6-4 record.
Ateneo has made the Final Four for the eighth straight season and is not about to turn cold at this point.
The Lady Eagles—led by playmaker Jia Morado and spikers Jho Maraguinot, Michelle Morente, Bea de Leon, Kat Tolentino and Ana Gopico—are focused on bringing the trophy back to Katipunan and get back at rival De La Salle.
“Even that now we’re assured of a Final Four spot, coach Tai [Bundit] wants the players to maintain their hunger and consistency to the end,” Ateneo Assistant Coach Sherwin Meneses said.
In the men’s tournament, reigning champion Ateneo (10-0) tries to move three wins closer to a season sweep and an outright Finals berth against Adamson University (2-8) at 10 a.m., while Far Eastern University (5-5) seeks to reclaim solo third spot against University of the East (1-9) at 8 a.m.