DEFENDING champion University of Santo Tomas and La Salle flex their muscles first before their highly-anticipated rematch next week, taking on separate opponents as the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament resumes today at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan. The Tigresses collide with a dangerous National University side in the 4 p.m. match, while the Lady Archers cross paths with skidding University of the East at 2 p.m.
Entering the Christmas break, UST and La Salle are tied on top with identical 5-0 slates.
The two college powers meet in an explosive showdown this Wednesday, the first between them since the Tigresses swept the Lady Archers in the Season 72 championship last year.
Celebrating its quadricentennial this year, UST is riding the crest of its remarkable 17-game winning streak in 2010.
But the Tigresses are expected to have a tough customer in the Lady Bulldogs, who are trying to improve their 3-3 record.
NU is gunning for a first-ever semifinals stint since the Final Four format was institutionalized in 1994.
UST, which last tasted a loss on Dec. 19, 2009 via a five-set loss to Ateneo, will rely on leading MVP contender Aiza Maizo, Maika Ortiz, Maru Banaticla, Judy Caballejo, Rhea Dimaculangan and libero Dancel Dunsaran.
Mervic Mangui, Cai Nepomuceno, Mina Aganon, Ria Sarte, Elaine Sagun and defensive specialist Jen Reyes will carry the fight for the Lady Bulldogs.
La Salle, marking its 100th founding year this 2011, will lean on the ‘Big 3’ of Cha Cruz, Jacq Alarca and Stephanie Mercado.
At the middle of the Christmas break, Mercado skipped training to be with her family following the death of her grandfather. Francisco ‘Tatang’ de Vega, the father of former Asian sprint queen Lydia de Vega.
The De La Salle ace however, is very much in shape.
The Lady Warriors, who are tied with the Lady Eagles at fifth spot with identical 2-4 cards, seek to end a three-game losing skid thru the efforts of old reliables Kite Rosale, Jimberly Dizon and Teresa Caballero.
Theodore Jurado, Journal Online
