Spikers brace for UAAP 77 beach volleyball

Held during the latter parts of every season, indoor volleyball is one of the highlights of the second half of the UAAP season. However, as early as the first half, UAAP fans can catch a glimpse of this volleyball excitement through the UAAP Beach Volleyball tournament.

As the competition draws near, the DLSU Spikers are making all the necessary preparations for the upcoming matches on the sand court in order to improve from last year’s finishes.

A new beginning

Last season, the Lady Spikers were bannered by Kim Fajardo, Cienne Cruz and reserve player Cyd Demecillo. They had a rough start in UAAP 76, losing their first two games in the opening weekend of the tournament. However, they gradually climbed to the top and reached the Final Four, but unfortunately, they failed to break into the finals. They concluded the season at fourth place.

As of press time, the Lady Spikers have not released an official line-up for this season’s beach volleyball tournament. However, head coach Ramil De Jesus shared that he and his coaching staff already came up with four possible players who will represent La Salle for the tournament. They will choose the three final players among Ara Galang, Kim Fajardo, Cyd Demecillo and Desiree Cheng.

Off to a fresh start

In the previous season, the trio of Red Christensen, Jopet Movido, and Mike Frey were unable to register a win in the elimination round for the Green Spikers. According to head coach Ronald Dulay, the tournament was already fast approaching when he was appointed as head coach, a possible factor that caused his team’s poor performance in the tournament. “Kung sino yung nakikita na lang namin [na pwede maglaro], yun nilagay namin [sa roster],” he adds.

The Green Spikers’ coach also shared that losing Christensen early in the tournament due to sickness made a big difference for the team. They had no choice but to use their reserve player Frey who still was not used to playing on the sand court at the time.

Moving on from last season’s nightmare, it seems that a new face from the Green Spikers will welcome this year’s UAAP beach volleyball tournament as Kevin Dimayuga and the returning Frey are likely to represent the Green Spikers this year. Raymark Woo is also supposed to join the tournament but will be unable to do so due to an ACL injury. The replacement for Woo has yet to be chosen.

However, this didn’t affect their focus as Dulay assured that his players are more prepared this time and will be better in terms of skills. He shares, “Siguro [ngayon], hindi na katulad last year na zero. Ngayon masasabi ko, skill wise, mas maganda skills ng [mga] bata ngayon. Preparation, meron din naman.”

The Green Spikers hope that UAAP 77 will mark their rise after last season’s win-less campaign. Dulay affirms, “Ngayon, mas prepared [for the tournament]. Paghahandaan namin.”

Meanwhile for the Lady Spikers, having experienced players in indoor volleyball for the possible line-up is a good sign for what many hope will be a much better campaign this year in the beach volleyball tourney.

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The UAAP Beach Volleyball tournament begins tomorrow at the UE Caloocan Sand Court where the DLSU Lady Spikers will take on the UST Tigresses at 9 am while the DLSU Green Spikers will kick off their campaign against the ADMU Blue Eagles at 10 am.