UAAP: La Salle shoots for win No. 10 vs FEU
LA SALLE hopes to get the job done against Far Eastern University and keenly await for the result of the National University-University of Santo Tomas duel to determine its fate of securing the remaining twice-to-beat slot in the UAAP women’s volleyball Final Four in the final weekend of the eliminations at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Spikers shoot for their 10th win in the 3 p.m. clash with the Lady Tamaraws today and hope for a Lady Bulldogs victory over the Tigresses tomorrow to avoid any complications of a playoff for the No. 2 spot.
La Salle and UST are in joint second with 9-5 records. If both teams hurdle their final elims assignments, the two traditional powerhouses will duke it out in a playoff for the other twice-to-beat berth in a virtual best-of-three series.
That’s why the Lady Spikers were locked in as of late as they try to avoid getting dragged in the lower half of the Final Four.
“Iyon nga, yung paalala lang namin sa kanila nung natalo kami sa UP, these last two games, sobrang importante at it’s a must win para sa amin. Kailangan trabahuin nila lahat ‘yon, isa-isa, hanggang sa makuha namin. Kailangan lang namin panghawakan sa sarili namin na gusto namin manalo talaga,” said assistant coach Noel Orcullo after La Salle nipped Adamson in five sets last Sunday.
FEU sits in fourth place with an 8-5 record and a loss will seal a rematch of last year’s Final Four against NU, which at 11-2 has already clinched the No. 1 ranking and the twice-to-beat incentive.
Even with a win over the Lady Spikers, the Lady Tamaraws will kiss their slim hopes of securing a playoff for the No. 2 spot goodbye if the Tigresses beat the Lady Bulldogs.
A triple tie between La Salle, UST and FEU at 9-5 will further mess up the race for the No. 2 spot. In the ranking points tiebreaker, the Lady Spikers and the Tigresses currently have 27 points, while the Lady Tamaraws are at 24.
Ateneo and University of the East seek to close out out their campaigns on a winning note in the other women’s match at 1 p.m.
In the men’s division, FEU and La Salle clash in a potential Final Four preview at 11 a.m.
As they wind up the eliminations, the Tamaraws, who are already assured of the No. 1 ranking and the twice-to-beat bonus, are working to improve their game as they brace for the Final Four.
“Siguro dapat yung sinasabi nila na marami pa pwede puliduhin. Hindi naman kami tumitigil ‘eh. Ang kailangan lang talaga gawin, yung moment na pag ginagawa namin, isa-isip namin at isa-puso namin yung ginagawa. Hindi lang basta nagawa yung task. Siguro, trabaho pa talaga,” FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo said.
The Green Spikers, sporting a 9-4 record, are hoping to close out the elims strong. A win by La Salle, coupled by a NU victory over UST tomorrow will give the Taft-based side the No. 3 slot.
“I think nandoon naman siguro kami, it’s just that adjusting to what we want na in preparation for the Final Four. Siyempre hindi naman ganoon kaagad-agad ‘yon, I’m confident na maiintindihan ng team ko yung what we wanted sa sistema namin talaga,” said Green Spikers coach Jose Roque.
“May mga times kasi na we need to adjust talaga, like nagpapalit ako ng mga tao, giving them some time to play and experience the court. Para at least pagdating ng semifinals, medyo fresh kami always. Adjusting to the lineup, siguro nandoon yung hindi katatag pa yung tingin nila sa sarili,” he added.
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