Lady Spikers kick off UAAP 77 against Adamson

For the DLSU Lady Spikers, the journey to reclaim the women’s volleyball crown officially begins tomorrow. Armed with the willpower and confidence off a dominating championship victory in this year’s UniGames, the La Salle squad has their eyes now set on nothing less but the UAAP crown. Their first assignment is a tough one, though, with the usual semifinalists AdU Lady Falcons also seeking to start their season on a winning note.

A look at last season’s performance

Sweeping last year’s elimination round, 14-0, all seemed well for the Lady Spikers before eventually collapsing in the finals against Ateneo. Starting their season by sweeping most of their opponents, the Lady Spikers also out-hustled AdU in both games, despite the valiant efforts of ace attacker Shiela Pineda.

The Lady Falcons ended last year’s eliminations with a 6-8 win-loss card. AdU then secured the fourth seed after defeating FEU in a playoff match for the last ticket to the semifinals. AdU’s stint in the semifinals was shortlived though, as they immediately lost to eventual champions Ateneo in the stepladder round.

Key returnees and losses

With a relatively intact lineup comprised by vital cogs Galang, Mika Reyes, Cyd Demecillo, Desiree Cheng, and Kim Fajardo, the Lady Spikers seek to take charge on both the defensive and offensive ends. With Maraño’s departure, there is a need for the veterans to step up their game, in order to make up for the numbers that their former captain contributes.

Meanwhile for AdU, the squad embarks in the season without the services of three of their best players Pineda, May Macatuno, and Mayette Zapanta, who have all used up their playing eligibility. Despite this, the AdU squad still has a talent-filled roster in Mylene Paat, Fhen Emnas, Amanda Villanueva, and Team Captain Faye Guevara.

Although plagued with departures, Coach Sherwin Meneses and the rest of the Lady Falcons are still up for the challenge, as they seek to deliver a better performance than last year.

Adamson has never won a single set against La Salle in the previous year, will things take a turn this time around?

As both squads are hungry for the win, expect the Lady Spikers and the Lady Bulldogs to display their best performance as they open their UAAP season tomorrow, 4 pm at The Arena in San Juan.