UST, Far Eastern U shoot for early tourney lead

University of Santo Tomas tests its youthful energy as it joins powerhouse Far Eastern University in the hunt for the early lead in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference at Filoil Flying V Centre on Wednesday.

And there doesn’t look to be that much of a hurdle on the way to the top as the Tigresses and the Lady Tamaraws take on a pair of lesser-heralded rivals.

The Tigresses unleashed their mean power game Sunday to blast San Sebastian College, 25-21, 25-12, 25-17, and are armed with confidence when they take the court against the Perpetual Help Lady Altas.

UST shoots for the early lead at 4 p.m., banking its hopes on the likes of Milena Alessandrini, Kecelyn Galdones, Eya Laure and skipper Christine Francisco.

But depth is really where the Tigresses are expected to strike hard. In the win over San Sebastian, 11 players had at least two hits for the Tigresses, underscoring the firepower the team has on its bench.

Perpetual will lean on Aurora Tripoli, Cindy Imbo, Jhona Rosal, Jenny Gaviola and Mae Umandal.

The Lady Tams, on the other hand, face the debuting San Beda Red Spikers at 2 p.m., hoping that they will come up with a stronger finishing kick than they did in a shaky first win over the St. Benilde Lady Blazers.

FEU had a 2-0 set lead against St. Benilde but couldn’t lower the hammer in the next two frames, allowing the Lady Blazers to mount a rally.

And the UAAP’s losing finalist last season needed to take full advantage of St. Benilde’s miscues in the deciding frame before squeezing out a 25-19, 32-30, 15-25, 24-26, 15-4 victory.

The Red Spikers will be playing their first game after their original opener was canceled when their scheduled foe, National University, pulled out of the tournament.

Also on tap are three matches in the men’s division with La Salle and Adamson tangling at 9 a.m. and St. Benilde and National U clashing at 11 a.m. Perpetual and UST cap the day-long tournament at 6 p.m.