JHO Maraguinot (left) won’t be around anymore but Faith Nisperos and Roma Mae Doromal will be around to help Ateneo extend its women’s volleyball reign in the UAAP beginning May 5. UAAP photo
Ateneo, La Salle renew rivalry in UAAP volleyball
Games May 5
(Mall of Asia Arena)
10 a.m. – UST vs FEU
12 noon – NU vs AdU
4 p.m. – Ateneo vs DLSU
6 p.m. – UP vs UE
ATENEO, the most recent UAAP women’s volleyball champions, takes on fabled rival La Salle to highlight a four-game opening day fixture on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Eagles and the Lady Spikers, who actually cross paths in the first weekend of Season 82 days before the tournament was shelved in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, take the floor at 4 p.m.
Libero Dani Ravena will be Ateneo’s new captain, with national team mainstay Faith Nisperos now leading the charge.
Jolina dela Cruz will be La Salle’s new leader, as setter Michelle Cobb recently decided to forego her final year of eligibility.
Long-time volleyball rivals University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University open hostilities at 10 a.m., while National University and Adamson clash at 12 noon.
University of the Philippines and University of the East battle in the nightcap at 6 p.m.
The rematch of the Season 81 championship between the Lady Eagles and the Tigresses will be played on May 19 at 4 p.m.
Ateneo outlasted UST in three games to annex its third title in 2019 – the league’s most recent women’s volleyball championship – where most of the prominent figures in the best-of-three series have already graduated.
Anothee marquee first round match worth-watching is the May 10 showdown between the upstarts Lady Spikers and the Lady Bulldogs at 4 p.m.
La Salle boast of rising volleyball stars in Thea Gagate and Leila Cruz, while Alyssa Solomon and Mhicaela Belen will banner a young NU crew.
The Lady Spikers and the Tigresses renew their fierce women’s volleyball rivalry on May 12 at 6 p.m.
The volleyball matches will be played every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, where the first round fixtures will be played at the Pasay venue.
The men’s basketball semifinals – either in the Final Four or step-ladder format – and the Finals will now be held every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. The final day of eliminations is set tomorrow.
