Games today:
(Mall of Asia Arena)
10 a.m. — UST vs Ateneo (m)
12 p.m. — Adamson vs FEU (m)
2 p.m. — UST vs Ateneo (w)
4 p.m. — Adamson vs FEU (w)
University of Santo Tomas attempts to fan its winning run to five matches as it plays rebuilding Ateneo, while Adamson University and Far Eastern University lock horns with the fourth spot at stake in the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena Saturday.
The Tigresses, who are enjoying their finest start since winning the first six games in the 2010-11 season, are not taking the Blue Eagles lightly in the 2 p.m. match.
“Actually, we have reminded the players to treat everyone with respect,” UST coach Kungfu Reyes said, stressing that not doing so could backfire on them.
“We will fight for every point and that’s the kind of discipline that we are instilling on the players. We keep on reminding them of this.”
Ateneo, which has a 1-3 slate, is coming off a tough 12-25, 22-25, 19-25 loss to defending champion La Salle a week ago.
The Lady Falcons and the Lady Tamaraws, who sit in fourth in fifth spots with 2-2 and 2-3 records, collide at 4 p.m. with the winner moving in the upper half of the standings.
As the end of the first round draws closer, Brazilian coach Sergio Veloso hopes that the Blue Eagles have already adopted his program to move up to the standings.
“Now it’s time to prove the system. Now it’s the time to confirm what you learned before the tournament,” Veloso said.
UST showed toughness in victories against the league’s last two champions National University and De La Salle, as well as in last week’s 22-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-7 win over traditional rival Far Eastern University.
The Lady Tamaraws are coming off back-to-back losses at the hands of the Tigresses and the Lady Bulldogs.
FEU is up for another tough opponent in Adamson, last season’s third-placer which is fresh from a 25-19, 25-19, 26-28, 29-27 conquest of University of the East.
“They are a very good team,” said Lady Falcons coach JP Yude on the Lady Tamaraws.
“We will have to work hard whenever we play them. We had five days to prepare for them,” she added.
Adamson has been blowing hot and cold, alternating wins with losses.
In the men’s play, FEU seeks to bounce back from its five-set loss to holders NU as it tangles with Adamson at noon, while UST tries to check a two-match slide against Ateneo at 10 a.m.
