In De La Salle University’s first-ever face-off with National University since the former captured the UAAP Season 85 Women’s Volleyball championship, the Lady Spikers have lost some of their key pieces in that title run.
The Best Setter and Finals MVP, Mars Alba, along with Best Outside Spiker Jolina Dela Cruz, have both already turned professional in the Premier Volleyball League after exhausting their playing years.
Middle blocker Fifi Sharma and libero Justine Jazareno also left La Salle, entering the PVL as well.
However, reigning MVP Angel Canino always remembers what Coach Ramil de Jesus has instilled in them, especially during times when people look for those who have already moved on from college.
“Ang lagi ko lang naaalala ay ‘yung sinasabi ni Coach Ramil na huwag hanapin ‘yung wala kundi we have to work on kung anong meron kami,” said Canino after the Lady Spikers beat the University of the Philippines on Sunday.
“Lahat nandoon naman po sa amin eh, wala naman pong kulang. Kailangan lang talaga namin magjell together,” she added.
The rematch is scheduled on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, with both teams carrying identical 5-1 records.
La Salle is on a three-game winning streak, while NU is on a five-game winning run. Both teams’ lone loss came from the University of Santo Tomas.
With the Lady Bulldogs on a heater, La Salle deputy coach Noel Orcullo said it’s all the more crucial that they need to prepare better for their modern-day rivals.
“Yun nga medyo talagang nag-step up ‘yung NU. Siguro like ‘yung sa pagkatalo nila nung opening straight sets pa, so I think sa nangyaring ‘yun nagising sila kaya nakikita natin ‘yung pagtaas ng game nila. Kailangan talagang paghandaan,” said Orcullo.
“Hindi pwedeng mag-dwell kami kung paano sila natalo noon sa UST, pero ang pagtutuunan namin ay ‘yung kung paano sila pumapanik.”
