La Salle Lady Spikers open title defense in UAAP women’s volleyball

MANILA, Philippines - De La Salle opens its drive for a fourth consecutive UAAP women’s volleyball title as the Lady Spikers tangle with a potential Adamson University side at 4 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.    

Fancied squads Ateneo and National University clash in the 2 p.m. duel on opening day which is expected to be a blockbuster.

But before the hostilities, the UAAP – led by Season 76 president Fr. Max Rendon, CM, and secretary-treasurer of host Adamson University – will turn over its donation for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda to ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya.

In men’s play, NU begins its title-retention drive against De La Salle at 11 a.m. while FEU clashes with Adamson University in the nightcap at 6 p.m.

Skipper Sheila Pineda, Amanda Villanueva, Faye Guevara, May Macatuno, Princess Listana and vastly improved Mylene Paat will be the vital cogs for Adamson, which placed third last season.    

Coach Ramil de Jesus, who has 190 victories in his 15-year stint with De La Salle, hopes to do it minus Michelle Gumabao, libero Melissa Gohing and Wensh Tiu, all of whom have already graduated.    

With last season’s co-MVPs Abi Maraño and Ara Galang and the towering Mika Reyes, Cyd Demecillo and Kim Fajardo still around – plus the entry of rookies Desiree Cheng and Kim Dy – the Lady Spikers have the potential to continue their reign.   

Boasting of eight crowns, De La Salle is tied with University of the Philippines as the third winningest women’s volleyball team in the league with eight titles behind Far Eastern University (29) and University of Santo Tomas (14).

Lady Eagles standouts Dzi Gervacio, Fille Cainglet, Gretchen Ho, Jem Ferrer and A Nacachi are also gone, but the Katipunan-based belles could still make a run for another shot at the crown.    

Team captain Alyssa Valdez, Marge Tejada, Ella de Jesus and Denden Lazaro will lead the way for Ateneo, runners-up in the last two seasons, along with returning Aerieal Patnongon, newcomers Kim Gequillana, Julia Morado, Michelle Morente and Ana Gopico.

Eyes will also be on the Lady Bulldogs, who now have the twin towers of sisters Dindin and Jaja Santiago.