3 points from Wednesday's UAAP volleyball matches

MANILA, Philippines — Wednesday shockers! The University of the East Lady Red Warriors chalked up their second consecutive win; this time a four-set win over free-falling University of Santo Tomas (25-23, 18-25, 28-26, 26-24) while the Ateneo Lady Eagles evened up matters with opening day tormentor Far Eastern University in three straight sets (25-19, 25-21, 25-17).

 

Here are three things to take from those Wednesday matches that shook up the standings.

Okay. They have played everyone tougher this season. But they followed up that five-set win over Adamson with a four-set win over UST! Whether things have loosened up with the coaching change or not is debatable because of their good showing in the first round as they picked up some sets here and there. Keeping the games close has done wonders for their confidence. And now with two consecutive wins in the bag… they are even looking better than UP or even UST. 

 

It’s good because they do not want to waste for the second straight year the strong game of libero Kat Arado, who is leading the way with her floor defense. But offensively, they have also picked it up with Mary Ann Mendrez taking on a bigger role in the offense.

If people were expecting Ateneo to crash and burn with all their concerns, then reports of their premature sliding into mediocrity are exaggerated. For months, FEU wanted to get back at them after the losses in the PVL and the UAAP. The Lady Tamaraws got it with the opening day win but Ateneo repaid the favor by starting the second round with a three-set win over their own.

 

That was certainly interesting to see Ponggay Gaston play the libero position and she did all right. Ria Lo also needed this to shore up her confidence after the shellacking she got from La Salle. 

 

This is a big rebound win for them as they move up to second place in the team standings even if only for a few days.

This has to be one of the most devastating losses for the Golden Tigresses in recent years. Let’s not harp on who they have lost etc. They have not looked good at all. They have all sorts of problems. Their first ball problems have seen a drop in their setting, something they have not fixed in recent years. It has to be disappointing because Alina Bicar has shown promise but now the main setter… UST is second to the last. Okay, there are receiving problems. Even when the ball goes forward, the blocking has been miserable. 

 

Now, mathematically, they can still make it. But they have to make a stand now. Especially against their next foe: league-leading NU.

 

If not, will the winds of change blow also around España?