La Salle, NU battle in clash of titans

By Josiah Albelda Posted Dec 11th 2013

Unbeaten squads De La Salle University and National University tangle in a titanic 76th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament clash Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

After winning their first two games, the Lady Spikers and the Lady Bulldogs try to stain each other’s record in a matchup widely tipped as this season’s finals preview.

La Salle flexed its muscles enough to waylay University of Santo Tomas last Sunday, burying the Tigresses in straight sets, 25-8, 27-25, 25-13.

The Lady Spikers looked razor sharp in the opening set and raced to a 16-3 lead, only to flounder in a second set they barely escaped. 

However, the Taft-based squad got their bearings back in the third and promptly dismissed UST, whose attackers stood no chance against La Salle’s corps of tall blockers.

Against NU, though, the Lady Spikers would have to exert a little more effort, as they will be facing the twin towers in sisters Dindin and Jaja Santiago and the bevy of Lady Bulldogs spikers led by Myla Pablo and Aiko Urdas.

Nevertheless, La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus isn’t fazed.

“Siguro sila yung team to beat,” he said. “Pero try namin kung anong magagawa namin sa height nila. Sa tingin ko malaking bagay pa rin yung mataas yung self confidence mo.”

De Jesus added the key will be NU’s reception, as it will determine whether the Lady Bulldogs will be effective in their attack.

“Depende sa magiging outcome ng service,” the multi-titled mentor shared. “Kung maka-receive NU, malaking bagay. Kung hindi, yun na yun.”

Tournament-leading blockers Aby Marano and Mika Reyes will have their hands full on defense, while league MVP Ara Galang and the vastly-improved Cyd Demecillo will shoulder the load on the attack for the Lady Spikers.

The game will air live on Studio 23, BALLS HD 167 and uaapsports.tv with a same day replay at 11 p.m. on BALLS SkyCable channel 34/ Destiny Cable channel 36.