Star Valdez wary as Ateneo battles dangerous Adamson

Ateneo Lady Eagles led by Alyssa Valdez. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo may be running a perfect record right now, but the last thing Alyssa Valdez wants is for her teammates to ease their pressure on the gas pedal—especially against an Adamson squad that seems always primed for an upset in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.

“Every game, in my four years in the UAAP, they really give us a good fight,” said Valdez, the two-time MVP playing her fifth and final year.

So Valdez hopes the Lady Eagles stay sharp against the unpredictable Lady Falcons in their 2 p.m. match today at Mall of Arena.

“It’s their defense, that’s really their strength,” said Valdez as the defending champions go for a fifth straight victory.

A surging National University also shoots for solo second versus University of Santo Tomas in the second game at 4 p.m.

After bowing to the Lady Eagles in the opening weekend, the Lady Bulldogs have strung up three straight wins behind Jaja Santiago and Myla Pablo.

Just like the Lady Eagles, the Lady Bulldogs remain wary even as they take on an opponent at the bottom rung of the standings.

Both Adamson and UST have 1-3 records.

“UST plays with pride,” said NU coach Roger Gorayeb.
And the Tigresses might just have gotten the confidence boost they needed after snapping a winless run with a victory over University of the East, 25-18, 25-8, 25-23, last Sunday.

NU, similarly on a roll in men’s action, targets a fourth win versus University of the Philippines at 8 a.m., while Far Eastern University eyes a third triumph UST at 10 a.m.