La Salle’s Ara Galang (8) and Aby Maraño (2) fail in stopping Ateneo’s Alyssa Valdez’s spike in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 76 women’s volleyball finals at Smart Araneta Coliseum. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
After a major injury led to a tearful exit last season, La Salle star Ara Galang aims for a strong comeback in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday.
Galang and the Lady Spikers get their campaign going versus Far Eastern University at 4 p.m. at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
University of Santo Tomas and Adamson also open their bids in the first game at 2.
Although Galang admits that she has yet to reach ideal form, the Lady Spikers remain confident with highly touted rookies May Luna and Tine Tiamzon reinforcing their already solid lineup.
“I’m at 95 percent, physically,” said Galang, who was a heartbreaking sight when she sustained an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury in last year’s semifinals.
The Lady Spikers, who finished second to champion Ateneo in the last two seasons, hope to reclaim the crown with Galang teaming up with veterans Mika Reyes, Kim Dy, Cyd Demecillo and setter Kim Fajardo.
A semifinalist last year, the Lady Tamaraws are expected to lean on Bernadeth Pons, Remy Palma, Jerilli Malabanan, Toni Rose Basas and setter Gyzelle Sy.
The Tigresses, meanwhile, vie to put up a fight even minus team captain Pam Lastimosa, who has an ACL injury.
Last year’s top rookie EJ Laure took over the skipper’s role and hopes to draw support from UST veterans Carmela Tunay, Ria Meneses and Jessey de Leon.
Men’s action kicks off the four-game bill with National University and Adamson clashing at 8 a.m., followed by the La Salle-University of the East duel at 10 a.m.