Spotlight on defending champs Lady Spikers in UAAP volleyball opener

Games Saturday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
10 a.m. – ADMU vs UE (men’s)
12 p.m. – AdU v DLSU (men’s)
2 p.m. – ADMU vs UE (women’s)
4 p.m. – AdU vs DLSU (women’s)

MANILA, Philippines – And the hunter becomes the hunted.

All eyes are on reigning champion La Salle when it opens its title defense against Adamson in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Action sizzles at 4 p.m. for the main game of the quadruple-match opener that also features the rejigged Ateneo and University of the East under new head coaches at 2 p.m. as well as their men’s counterparts in the morning battles.

Ateneo men's takes on UE while Adamson goes up against La Salle at 10 a.m. and 12 noon, respectively to set the stage for the second day of the explosive opening weekend, headlined by the clash of runner-up National University and rival University of Santo Tomas in the women’s division Sunday.

“Kami ‘yung defending champion so lahat ng teams nasa amin ang mata compared last year na kami naghahabol. ‘Yung pressure, mabigat para sa amin,” said deputy Noel Orcullo, who spoke on behalf of chief tactician Ramil de Jesus.

La Salle finished runner-up to NU in Season 85 before a sweet vengeance last season and as if the mounting challenge as the reigning queen is not already enough, Taft will march into battle this time without half of its army’s frontline.

The ball is on the Lady Spikers’ court to mold their young battalion to ready and equipped warriors for a successful title defense bid following the graduation of ex-captain Jolina dela Cruz, middle blocker Fifi Sharma, playmaker and Finals MVP Mars Alba, and ace libero Justine Jazareno.

“Maraming nawala at vital ‘yung mga nawala. Pinunan nalang namin sa training ‘yung mga position nawala,” added Orcullo as La Salle will now lean on Season 85 Rookie-MVP Angel Canino, new captain Julia Coronel, Shakey’s Super League (SSL) MVP Shevana Laput and Best Middle Blocker Thea Gagate.

But the Lady Spikers remain the team to beat, as far as other teams are concerned, with the Lady Falcons under new coach JP Yude looking to catch them off guard early in their transition phase.

Adamson just won the Akari Cup last week