Women’s volley scores an ace

MANILA, Philippines - One would think it was another epic basketball game between rivals La Salle and Ateneo.

A sea of blue and green-clad supporters patiently waiting to clear the entrances of Mall of Asia. Shirts with players’ numbers and jerseys on sale inside the coliseum. Thundering roar when players were introduced. Shrieks for every spike, block, rally.

Yes, UAAP women’s volleyball has arrived. It’s fast-becoming a social event much like the showdown of their men’s basketball counterparts.

“Hindi lang pang-basketball ang UAAP ngayon (Basketball no longer has the monopoly in terms of following in the UAAP), “ said one volleyball fan.

A total of 18,779 witnessed yesterday’s Game Two. This was the fourth straight game for the two rivals to draw a big crowd, after filling The Arena in their first round meeting, then setting a record 19,000 fans at the MOA Arena, and luring more than 17,000 in Game One at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Syempre andyan na yung rivalry ng Ateneo at La Salle pero mas lalo pang napainit yan dahil parehong malakas ang women’s volleyball team nila ngayon (The rivalry is there but the fact that both teams have strong lineups bolster this even more),” said another fan.