Laro sa Huwebes (MOA Arena)
2 p.m.- Adamson vs UST (Battle for 3rd)
4 p.m.- NU vs Ateneo (Finals)
MANILA, Philippines - Sinabi ni Ateneo coach Roger Gorayeb na aasa ang National University kay veteran setter Rubie de Leon at hindi sa mga bigatin nitong mga spikers.
“NU has a good group of spikers, there’s no question about that,†wika ni Gorayeb matapos panoorin ang NU na talunin ang Adamson, 24-26, 25-20, 25-15, 25-22, sa Shakey’s V-League 10-First Conference Final Four rubbermatch noong Linggo sa The Arena sa San Juan City para kumpletuhin ang 2-1 panalo sa kanilang serye.
“But I think it will really depend on Rubie (de Leon). If she plays well, NU will have a chance of winning. If not, they will lose and we’ll have a chance,†dagdag pa nito.
Si De Leon, naglaro para sa Santo Tomas Tigresses sa UAAP, ay nagtatala ng average na 37 excellent serves sa dalawang panalo ng Lady Bulldogs sa Final Four.
Nagbida siya sa 22-25, 25-18, 25-19, 22-25, 15-13 panalo ng NU sa Adamson sa Game Two sa MOA Arena noong nakaraang Huwebes.
Sa Game One, nagtala si De Leon ng 30 successful sets sa 20-25, 25-21 24-26, 25-21, 15-12 sa kanilang kabiguan sa Philsports Arena sa Pasig City.
Pinuri naman ni NU mentor Edjet Mabbayad si De Leon.
“We got her (De Leon) because she’s one of the best setters in the country today and her veteran presence keeps the team together,†ani Mabbayad, ang pinakabatang coach sa liga sa edad na 26-anyos.
Bukod kay De Leon, inaasahang raratsada rin sina hitters Dindin at Jaja Santiago, Carmina Aganon, Myla Pablo at Aiko Urdas.
“I’ve seen them play and its really my conclusion that Rubie will be the key. She’s like the driver of the NU bus, they will go to wherever Rubie decides to take them,†wika ni Gorayeb, hangad na maigiya ang Loyola-based Lady Spikers sa isang ‘three-peat’.