NU, Ateneo seek second Spikers’ Turf wins Monday

STILL looking impressive minus its champion core, National University guns for the solo Group A lead in the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference Monday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Bulldogs go for a 2-0 start versus University of the East at 1 p.m.

“It’s good that we won our first assignment, but we still have a lot to work on,” said coach Dante Alinsunurin as his Bulldogs adjust from the graduation of several veterans who led them to the 2013 and 2014 UAAP titles.

“We have to be more aggressive.”

In Group B, Ateneo tries to keep pace with the early leaders when it battles De La Salle-Dasmariñas at 3 p.m. even as St. Benilde and University of the Philippines collide for a share of top spot in the last game at 5 p.m.

Unlike the Bulldogs, the UAAP champ Blue Eagles still have their old stars led by UAAP MVP Marck Espejo, Rex Intal, Ish Polvorosa, Josh Villanueva and Ysrael Marasigan.

But Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro acknowledged that his team was still playing far from its potential despite downing rival La Salle, 25-15, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23, last week.

“We still lack cohesiveness,” he said. “We weren’t that aggressive [in our first game].”

St. Benilde bested the Patriots, 25-18, 25-18, 25-15, last week. Jasmine W. Payo