UAAP: La Salle eyes championship berth, battles National U

MANILA, Philippines—La Salle sees a fresh start when it goes for the last championship berth in women’s volleyball, while Ateneo and National University clash at the start of the men’s title series in the UAAP Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Lady Spikers, the No. 2 seed holding a twice-to-beat advantage, hope to dispatch the NU Lady Bulldogs quickly in the stepladder semifinals at 4 p.m. to advance against unbeaten Ateneo in the Finals series.

“We have to push harder,” said La Salle’s top spiker Ara Galang. “We want a new start in the stepladder.”

The third-ranked Lady Bulldogs, who disposed of No. 4 Far Eastern University last weekend, brace for a tough grind just to forge a winner-take-all against the Lady Spikers.

“We cannot afford to lose so we have to play at a championship level,” said NU coach Roger Gorayeb. “La Salle is used to this kind of situation, so psychologically, they’re strong. It will be a very, very tough battle for us.”

In men’s action, the top-ranked Blue Eagles and the defending champion Bulldogs expect a tight duel in Game 1 of their best-of-three Finals at 2 p.m.

“NU is strong, they are tall and talented,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro. “We need to be prepared physically and mentally.”