Upset hunt

Princess Robles hopes to soar anew for National U, the same way she did in an upset victory over University of the Philippines. —Sherwin Vardeleon

La Salle and Far Eastern University face each other for the first time since last season’s finals, but don’t be surprised if it’s the match between Ateneo and National University that gets more attention on Saturday’s UAAP women’s volleyball.

Ateneo, league-leader and on a five-game winning streak, will run into a youthful NU side fresh from a character-building victory over University of the Philippines last Wednesday.

NU coach Norman Miguel said many of his players may be rookies, but they have championship spunk having ruled the juniors division for three straight seasons.

“This team has the character molded in them; they have won titles already in high school [and] now they brought that here,” said Miguel after outlasting UP (25-17, 14-25, 17-25, 25-23, 17-15).

Notable about that match: The young NU squad faced four match points against a veteran UP squad.

Miguel’s main gunners include Princess Robles, Ivy Lacsina and Jennifer Nierva, who feel that the lack of experience should not hamper their season.

“I think that we want to prove that each and every one of us really wants to win,” said Nierva in Filipino. “We’re not complete right now but we want to achieve something.”

“We won’t ever say that our team is a pushover, no. We use the negativity as our motivation,” Nierva added.

The Lady Eagles are currently the hottest team in the league, rebounding from an opening-game loss to rival La Salle to win every single match after that.

“All of these, we take as a challenge,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro. “But I trust the players’ resiliency, they will be ready to make adjustments.”

The Lady Tamaraws will have a score to settle against the Lady Spikers, who swept them of the best-of-three titles series—via straight sets in both games.

“That will be our motivation,” said FEU’s Celine Domingo. “We were there already until they beat us twice.”

FEU coach George Pascua said the one thing that separates them is “the willingness and desire to win.”

La Salle’s team captain Desiree Cheng is a doubtful starter but the Lady Spikers have been getting help from new recruit Lourdes Clemente and rookie Jolina dela Cruz.

“The skills set we are equal, but it’s in the character and desire to win that will play a big role in the match,” added Pascua.