Mikaela Esperanza sets up La Salle Teamate Mika Reyes ,for a kill off Myla Pablo of NU ,at the Smart Araneta . INQUIRER FILE PHOTO /AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines — The anticipated volleyball action in UAAP Season 76 kicks off on December 1 with an explosive double header to open the season at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Reigning titlist La Salle takes on darkhorse Adamson in the 4 p.m. main game, while and last year’s runner-up Ateneo roadtests a rookie-laden roster opposite to Santiago sisters-led National University (NU) at 2 p.m.
Apart from the Big Dome, majority of the matches in the first round of the eliminations will be held at the Arena in San Juan according to a scheduled released by the league as of October 23.
The La Salle Lady Spikers will be opening their bid for a fourth-straight women’s title with a line-up that still looks invincible against the Lady Falcons who finished third last season.
Despite losing Michelle Gumabao, who decided to forgo her final year and graduates Wensh Tiu and libero Melissa Gohing, La Salle remains formidable with Season 75 co-Most Valuable Players Abigail Maraño, and Ara Galang and Kim Fajardo.
But most of the attention is expected be on Lady Bulldogs, with their dreaded twin towers—Dindin and Jaja Santiago—who stand six-foot-four and six-foot-five, respectively.
Dindin,19, and Jaja,17, made an immediate impact when they led NU to the crown in an off-season tournament earlier this year.
Ateneo, on the other hand, is going to face major challenge with a line-up that is missing Fille Cainglet, Dzi Gervacio, Gretchen Ho, and Jem Ferrer.
Season host Adamson University, meanwhile, will have Sheila Pineda, Marleen Cortel, Faye Guevara, Amanda Villanueva and Mayette Zapanta as frontliners.
The men’s hostilities also starts on December 1 with reigning champion NU facing La Salle at 10 a.m., and last year’ second-placer Far Eastern University battling fourth-seed Adamson University in the first game at 8:30 a.m.