Games today:
(Paco Arena)
10 a.m. — Perpetual vs FEU (w)
12 p.m. — UE vs Mapua (w)
2 p.m. — San Beda vs Ateneo (m)
4 p.m. — UST vs NU (m)
High-scoring winger Buds Buddin’s leadership will be put to the test when defending champion National University faces tough rival University of Santo Tomas for a share of the lead in V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge today at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Expect fireworks when the protagonists of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 finals rekindle their rivalry at 4 p.m. with the Bulldogs hoping to keep their momentum going despite missing head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University is also on a mission to string up a second straight win to join idle University of Perpetual Help System DALTA at the top spot against San Beda University at 2 p.m.
NU won’t have the multi-titled tactician on the bench as Alinsunurin is currently in Vietnam calling the shots for his Premier Volleyball League club Choco Mucho seeing action in the VTV Cup.
Assistant coach Dong dela Cruz takes over Alinsurin’s spot and will rely on the sophomore Buddin to keep the team together against the same opponent the Bulldogs beat in last year’s tournament championship series that went the full three games.
The power-hitting spiker led NU with 18 points to open the squad’s title-retention bid with a sweep of Far Eastern University, 25-22, 25-22, 25-19, last week.
“I really have to show my leadership because there are only a few of us left that played in the previous UAAP season and we have new players in the team. Maybe that’s why I really have to step up,” Buddin said after taking over the leadership role with Alinsunurin opting not to field veteran setter Owa Retamar and ace scorer Nico Almendras in the tournament.
Buddin will rely on holdovers Obed Mukaba, skipper Leo Aringo, playmaker Joseph Bello and freshmen Jade Disquitado and Rwenzmel Taguibolos for support against a UST side seeking to rebound from an opening-day upset loss.
The Golden Spikers started their redemption campaign on a sour note after bowing to De La Salle University, 28-26, 18-25, 26-28, 21-25, last Friday with reigning UAAP Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Josh Ybanez groping for form.
Ybanez played two sets and finished with seven points.
Veterans Gboy de Vega, Rainier Flor and John Dedoroy also need to up their game to avoid another loss that would bury UST deeper south.
On the other hand, the Blue Eagles are favored to follow up their 23-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-16, win over Emilio Aguinaldo College last Sunday against the Red Spikers, who were swept by the Altas last week.
In women’s play, Far Eastern University and University of the East eye back-to-back wins against their respective opponents.
The Lady Tamaraws battle Perpetual at 10 a.m. while the Lady Warriors square off against Mapua at 12 p.m.
