November 30, 2022

NU men's, Ateneo women's seek crowns

National U sets out for a repeat over UST while Ateneo de Manila tries to re-assert its mastery over Adamson as the Bulldogs and the Lady Eagles go for a sweep of the men’s and women’s titles in the V-League Collegiate Championship today (Wednesday) at the Paco Arena.


The Bulldogs dispatched the Tiger Spikers in three in Game One of their best-of-three series and are fancied to do a reprise in their 2 p.m. encounter for a second straight championship after stunning the Cignal HD Spikers in the recent Spikers’ Turf finals.


"Importante agresibo kami. Pagtatrabahuhan pa rin namin sa practice at tuloy tuloy pa rin ang ginagawa namin," said NU coach Dante Alinsunurin, who will again rely on his talented troika of Nico Almendras, Michaelo Buddin and Kennry Malinis to cap their imposing campaign in the pre-season tournament.


But Gboy De Vega, Josh Ybañez, and the rest of the Tiger Spikers are also going flat out to spoil the Bulldogs’ bid for a tournament sweep and force a sudden death.


The Blue Eagles also hope to finish off the Lady Falcons in their side of the finals after hacking out a tough five-set escape in Game One last Sunday.


Faith Nisperos, who exploded for a career-high 35 points, is again tipped to spearhead the Katipunan-based school’s assault with support to come from Vanie Gandler, AC Miner, and Lyann De Guzman. 


But like the Tiger Spikers, the Lady Falcons are also keen on frustrating the Lady Eagles and forcing a sudden death behind top hitters Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, and Rizza Cruz.