NATIONAL University (NU) rides the momentum of its recent victory over Ateneo de Manila as it tries to boost its Final Four bid against University of the Philippines today in the Season 79 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Bulldogs will bring with them the thrust of their 17-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13 win of the Lady Eagles last Wednesday when they take on the Lady Maroons at 4 p.m.
The Lady Eagles, on the other hand, are expected to throw all their frustrations in an effort to regain the solo lead when they take on the winless Adamson University Lady Falcons at 2 p.m.
NU, however, will miss Head Coach Roger Gorayeb who will attend to his child’s graduation day. Assistant Coach Edjet Mabbayad, who handled the Lady Bulldogs in Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference and led the team to a title repeat, will take charge for the meantime.
“I know that the team is in the right hands with Edjet. He already showed that he can handle the team in the V-League,” Gorayeb said. “Edjet and the team could do it, especially that we earned a great win over Ateneo. They have a high morale and they could capitalize on that.”
The Lady Bulldogs are currently in third place with a 7-4 win-loss card.
Jaja Santiago, Jasmine Nabor, Risa Sato, Jorelle Singh, Aiko Urdas and the rest of the Lady Bulldogs will try to duplicate their 25-23, 25-17, 22-25, 18-25, 15-12 five-set win over UP in the first round.
The Lady Maroons, however, believe that they already learned their lesson from their previous slumps, as Isa Molde, Diana Carlos, Kathy Bersola, Nicole Tiamzon and Arielle Estrañero try to keep their Final Four chances alive and improve their 6-5 record.
“We are looking forward to this crucial match against NU,” UP Assistant Coach Rald Ricafort said. “The players regained their confidence from our win over Adamson University and that would be a great help for us coming into this game.”
In men’s action, Ateneo de Manila guns for its 12th straight victory against University of the East (1-10) at 8 a.m. and Far Eastern University (6-5) seeks to tighten its grip of solo third spot against Adamson University (2-9) at 10 a.m.
Image credits: Stephanie Tumampos