Combining good looks with superb talent and skill, the Lady Archers picked up two straight wins to bounce back from a four-set loss to the unbeaten Santo Tomas Tigresses (4-0) and join the Lady Stags at No. 2 spot on 2-1 (win-loss) slates.
But La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus, whose wards also topped the University Game last year and the CHED Games last month in Bacolod City, expects a tough outing against the SSC squad in their 3 p.m. encounter.
"It’s going to be a tough game," said de Jesus after turning back Lyceum, 25-16, 25-17, 23-25, 25-15, last Tuesday. "So we really have to play tough against them especially against their spikers."
De Jesus, who steered La Salle to two UAAP volleyball titles in his eight-year stint with the school, is referring to San Sebastian’s dreaded frontline troika of Jinni Mondejar, Angela Descalsota and Jeanne Espolong.
Expected to draw attention for La Salle are last year’s UAAP MVP Desiree Hernandez, Manila Santos, Carissa Gotis, Ivory Ablig, Nicole Ann Remulla and skipper Maureen Penetrante.
The Lady Stags, however, might still miss the services of lead setter Ma. Elena Mayo, who failed to suit up against the Tigresses last Tuesday due to measles.
UST held off SSC, 28-26, 25-22, 26-24, to remain unbeaten in four games.
"She’ll be a doubtful starter," said San Sebastian mentor Rogelio Gorayeb referring to Mayo, a vital cog in the team’s victories over Far Eastern University and NCAA rival Letran College.
"But we will try to maximize our other strengths, with or without our top setter," added Gorayeb, who led the Lady Stags to 15 of the last 18 NCAA volley crowns.
This means that back-up setter Anna Lat, 18, must step up and provide San Sebastian the needed spunk as the Lady Stags try to bounce back from their loss to the Tigresses.
Meanwhile, the Lady Knights and the Lady Tams try to inject life to their flickering campaigns when they collide at 5 p.m.
Letran has dropped two straight games following an opening day 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 12-25, 15-12 win over Lyceum while FEU remains winless in three starts.