Ateneo eyes volley ‘sweep’ vs National U

Games today

12:45 p.m. – NU vs Ateneo (V-League finals)

3 p.m. – Ateneo vs NU (Spikers’ Turf finals)

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo takes crack not just at one but two volleyball titles against a National U side that hopes to bounce back strong in the Shakey’s V-League finals with its top guest hitter back in the fold and in the Spikers’ Turf playoff with a fired-up crew out to foil the Eagles’ record sweep.

Two top-notch duels for volley supremacy are on tap today at The Arena in San Juan City with the Ateneo fans bracing for a big double celebration and the National U supporters gearing up for a pair of spoilers.

Both leagues are presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

The Lady Eagles swept the Lady Bulldogs in the opener of their best-of-three series, 25-19, 25-13, 25-23, last Sunday but Alyssa Valdez and company did it without Dindin Manabat on the other side of the court. With NU’s top spiker back, the Bustillos-based school is only expected to get better, fiercer and tougher.

Valdez, the league MVP, does expect a different kind of challenge from the Lady Bulldogs.

“Dindin will be a big factor in Game Two. Actually, NU is a strong team without her and the Lady Bulldogs will only get stronger with her back,” said Valdez.

Like their counterparts, the Eagles brace for a big Bulldogs comeback following a 25-17, 25-18, 25-19 romp in last week’s Game One of the Spikers’ Turf finals although the former will have added motivation to go for the kill – a sweep of the entire tournament.

Led by MVP Marck Espejo and a talented crew of Rex Intal, Ysrael Marasigan, Karl Baysa and setter Joner Polvorosa, the Eagles never tasted defeat and are all geared-up for another win that would complete a dream title run.