Lady Eagles seek to extend winning run vs UST
Credit to Author: JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA| Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2019 16:28:21 +0000
Ateneo de Manila University eyes to extend its hot streak against the dangerous University of Sto. Tomas (UST) as the second round of Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament unfurls today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The leading Lady Eagles and the second-running Golden Tigresses clash in the 4 p.m. main game after National University (NU) and University of the East (UE) collide at 2 p.m.
After dropping its season-opener against archrival De La Salle University, Ateneo soared to a six-game winning streak capped by a 23-25, 25-17, 25-13, 25-17 thumping of NU last Sunday to end the first round on top.
Head coach Oliver Almadro though warns his Lady Eagles of a tougher competition in the second round wherein the Final Four begins to take shape.
“I’m telling my players that the second round is going to be tougher,” said Almadro.
“Hopefully, the positivity and energy will manifest going into the second round,” he added.
League’s fourth-best scorer Kat Tolentino, who averaged 15.3 points in the opening round, will lead the Eagles’ attack along with Maddie Madayag, Bea De Leon and Ponggay Gaston.
On the other hand, the Tigresses are riding on their own three-win roll that propelled them to their best finish in the first round under mentor Kungfu Reyes with a 5-2 slate for a joint second with La Salle.
“At least we’re in the top three so far in the first round. This will be a good motivation entering the second round,” said Reyes, whose squad is coming off a 25-18, 25-14, 25-20 rout of UE last Sunday.
League’s top scorer Sisi Rondina (17.4 points) and second-best Eya Laure (16.7 markers) are tabbed to spearhead the Tigresses together with Dimdim Pacres and Kecelyn Galdones.
Meanwhile, No. 6 NU (2-5) will try to bounce back against cellar-dweller UE (1-6).
The Lady Bulldogs lost to Ateneo to close the first round while the Lady Red Warriors fell to their fourth consecutive defeat after suffering a sweep to UST.
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