ALL EYES ON DLSU
Lady Spikers begin title bid vs Soaring Falcons
De La Salle goes all out with its bid for back-toback titles as it launches its UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball campaign on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The Lady Spikers, who lost four of their key players to the pro ranks, clash with the new-look Adamson Lady Falcons in an anticipated showdown at 4 p.m.
While the Taft-based squad bid farewell to outside hitter Jolina dela Cruz and setter Mars Alba who had exhausted all of their playing years, middle blocker Fifi Sharma and libero Justine Jazareno have decided to forgo their remaining eligibilities — which left reigning MVP Angel Canino and Thea Gagate from the team’s champion core. Although Canino is expected to showcase her MVP form in the seasonopening match, La Salle refused to solely lean on her as Alleiah Malaluan and Shevana Laput are also likely to step up.
Last season, long-time head coach Ramil De Jesus didn’t show up and actively coach until the second round of the tournament due to health reasons which left the role to his assistant Noel Orcullo, who did a remarkable job leading the squad to its undefeated first round campaign.
The Lady Spikers suffered a lone defeat to end with a 13-1 (win-loss) elimination round record before sweeping the rest of the games to lift their 12th trophy.
Meanwhile, Adamson will be with a new set of coaching staff as the school tapped homegrown JP Yude and Bang Pineda, who are eyeing a strong start for their alma mater.
Wounded from their Final Four loss last season against the Lady Spikers, the Lady Falcons are definitely plotting some sort of vengeance.
Like the defending champions, though, Adamson is dealing with the departure of its core players including top scorers Trisha Tubu and Kate Santiago as well as setter Louie Romero and middle blocker Lorene Toring, who sustained an ACL injury just last month.
In the first serving of the women’s play, Ateneo and University of the East are arranged to meet at 2 p.m.
After the Blue Eagles’ shock exit from the Final Four contention last year, debuting head coach Sergio Veloso has only high hopes for the team this year.
For the first time since Season 71, Ateneo wasn’t featured in the Final Four as it finished sixth in the standings with a four-win campaign against 10 losses.