Lady Spikers shoot for volley title today

AFTER making things look so easy with a straight-sets victory in Game 1, La Salle is now primed to grab the UAAP women’s volleyball crown via a much more difficult route.

“We can’t be complacent or satisfied with a one-game win,” said La Salle star spiker Ara Galang. “We have to work harder.”

Keeping their focus on the game plan, the Lady Spikers go for a sweep of rival Ateneo in Game 2 of the best-of-three series at 4 p.m. at Mall of Asia Arena.

“Winning [Game 1] is an advantage for us, but we shouldn’t be overconfident,” said Kim Dy, the utility spiker who has been a vital cog for the Lady Spikers.

But after the Lady Spikers’ dominant disposal of the defending champions in the opener, La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus said his players got even more motivated to reclaim the crown.

“All teams dream of that [winning the championship],” said De Jesus. “We’re really hoping that this year will be ours.”

Before settling as runner-up to Ateneo in the last two seasons, the Lady Spikers reigned for three straight years.

The two Ateneo teams, though, intend to make it their day starting with standouts Alyssa Valdez and Marck Espejo both formally receiving their third straight Most Valuable Player awards in the men’s and women’s divisions.

As the Lady Eagles try to forge a do-or-die Game 3, the Blue Eagles shoot for the crown versus National University in men’s action at noon.
“One more game for a repeat, but we have to double our effort,” said Ateneo men’s coach Oliver Almadro. “We need to match the energy of NU.”

Valdez also thinks the Lady Eagles need to do the same to keep their bid for a third straight crown alive.

“It will always go back to the basics,” said Valdez. “We want to focus. We have a championship to defend.”