The chase for volley crowns in the pre-season comes down to a pair of deciding matches as Ateneo and Adamson dispute the women’s championship and the National U and UST facing off for the men’s title in the V-League Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena today (Sunday).
“This may not be a perfect run for us but I’m happy na may resiliency yung team. Nagpe-perform yung mga leaders at yung mga kinukuha sa bench ay knowing their roles right away,” said Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro, whose Lady Eagles take on the Lady Falcons at 1 p.m.
“Nasa championship na so siguro naman maganda yung ginagalaw ng mga bata. Pero regardless, stick lang kami sa process kasi ang gusto namin talaga is ma-expose sila at makita yung makakalaban namin sa UAAP,” said Adamson assistant mentor Rald Ricafort.
The Bulldogs, on the other hand, set out for a second championship after ruling the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference last month but face a UST side determined to stop the former’s seven-game run in the tournament and foil their sweep bid at 3 p.m.
“Ready kami basta itutuloy lang namin yung mga tama na ginagawa namin,” said NU coach Dante Alinsunurin,
“We’re up against NU. They’re very good blockers, good passers, and good attackers so everything is good so we’ll just formulate a few tactics para ma-counter yung advantage ng kalaban and also iano ko lang sila, reinforce ko lang sa kanila na okay lang mablock or madepensahan or mapaluan as long as babawi,” said Tiger Spikers head coach Odjie Mamon.
Kicking off the busy Sunday capping the six-week tournament held as part of the teams’ buildup for their respective collegiate leagues is the battle for the bronze between Perpetual Help and Ateneo (men’s) at 10 a.m. and St. Benilde and UP (women’s) at 5 p.m.
