By Jean Malanum
MANILA – De La Salle University seeks a first perfect season in 22 years and a 13th UAAP women’s volleyball title against National University (NU) in Game 2 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday.
The Lady Spikers will try to end Lady Bulldogs’ two-year reign at 5 p.m.
In the men’s division, NU will aim for a sixth straight title against Far Eastern University at 12 noon.
La Salle, unbeaten in the elimination round, took Game 1 (25-23, 25-18, 25-18) on Wednesday. It was the first time that NU lost in straight sets in a finals match.
The Lady Spikers also swept the eliminations in Season 76 (2014) but archrivals Ateneo de Manila University Eagles went on to claim the crown.
“I said I don’t want that to happen again. Every year I tell them, whoever wins the championship, that’s what we’re preparing for. This is the situation. This is our chance to come back,” La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus said in a news release Friday.
“Not everyone gets the opportunity to make the finals. We came first, we need to defend it.”
Angel Canino, who had 17 points and nine digs for La Salle in Game 1, knows that NU will not surrender the crown easily.
“NU will really fight. We know they will study us, the same way we will study them. We know that NU really has heart and they has the drive, has a reason to fight this year, to fight for this season,” she said.
NU coach Regine Diego said the Lady Bulldogs must stay mentally strong to extend the series.
“Everything in the championship is more mental than physical. Everything is equal in skills, just mentally. We just have to focus on that again and go back to the drawing board and do our best for the next game,” Diego said.
“I told them to hold their heads high because it’s not the end. If we get too emotional about this, it’s harder for us to move forward. We’re just working to fight until the end. It’s a bit upsetting, but we have to focus more on preparing than feeding the very sad atmosphere. We’re still confident for the next game,” she added.
Coach Dante Alinsunurin, aiming for an eighth championship with the Bulldogs, was pleased with how setter Greg Ancheta orchestrated the offense in Game 1, which went the distance, 21-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 15-8.
“Maybe, their trust in each other has improved now. Because their trust in Ancheta is really there. That’s why the situation has changed now that we won the game because we know that my players know they need Greg when it comes to that situation, that he didn’t give up. That’s why I’m very thankful for his performance. I hope it continues,” Alinsunurin said.
Also expected to deliver for NU are national team standouts Buds Buddin, Leo Ordiales, Jade Disquitado and Peng Taguibolos. (PNA)
