THE DYNASTY CONTINUES; ATENEO AND LA SALLE CLASH FOR UAAP VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
By Ardyn Gonzales
1 May 2017
For the sixth straight season, the defending champions De La Salle University Lady Spikers and runner-ups Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles will meet again in the UAAP women’s volleyballFinals.
As a matter of fact, many people predicted that after the graduation of the key players of Ateneo and La Salle last year—with the other teams still intact—it would be hard for the last season’s finalists to extend the dynasty they established since Season 74.
This expectation was further strengthened when the Lady Eagles lost to NU while the Lady Spikers were swept in straight sets by UP early in the first round of Season 79.
But here comes the blue and green again.
Although the usual starters are still there for both schools, like Kim Fajardo, Majoy Baron, and Kim Dy for La Salle, and Jia Morado, Bea de Leon, Jhoana Maraguinot for Ateneo, it was a still a tough job to fill in the shoes of the likes of Ara Galang, Mika Reyes, Alyssa Valdez, and Amy Ahomiro.
Despite this, they were still able to dominate the elimination standings, with both teams finishing in the top two to earn a twice-to-beat advantage, then swept the semifinals en route to another Ateneo-La Salle finals series.
But the team of Coach Ramil de Jesus has yet to solve the Tai Bundit puzzle of Ateneo as they were defeated twice in the elimination, all thanks to the unpredictable offense of the Lady Eagles orchestrated by the newly appointed team captain Jia Morado.
The Lady Spikers, however, were able to expose the vulnerability of Lady Eagles in terms of reception, but they still looked unprepared for Ateneo’s Kat Tolentino in the first round, then Jules Samonte in the second.
But both teams know this: your previous match-ups and statistics will not really matter as the Finals is entirely a different stage. Will La Salle defend the championship? Or will Ateneo get it back?
The Game 1 of the Finals will start on Tuesday, May 2 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, then the Game 2 will be on Saturday, May 6 at the same venue.
If necessary, the deciding Game 3 will be on May 10, Wednesday, still at The Big Dome.
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