Lady Bulldogs target quick reversal against free-falling UP

Games on Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
9 a.m. – UE vs FEU (Men)
11 a.m. – NU vs UP (Men)
1 p.m. – UE vs FEU (Women)
3 p.m. – NU vs UP (Women)

AFTER a deflating defeat against rival De La Salle University (DLSU), titleholder National University (NU) aims for a quick turnaround against the free-falling University of the Philippines (UP) to steady the ship in the start of the crucial UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

A return to the winning column right away is up for grabs for the NU Lady Bulldogs (5-2) at 3 p.m. against the UP Fighting Maroons (3-4) to firm up hold of the second seed and stay on course of a vengeance bid against the unbeaten DLSU Lady Spikers (7-0) at the homestretch.

Far Eastern University (FEU), in joint third with University of Santo Tomas and Adamson University at 4-3, eyes a slight breather at 1 p.m. opposite the winless University of the East (UE) (0-7) in the middle of 21 straight losses since last season.

The charges of new coach Regine Diego over the weekend absorbed a 21-25, 19-25, 25-19, 17-25 loss to La Salle before over 18,000 fans to see its domination of five straight games against its fierce foe in the last two seasons.

Led by now pro players Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, the Lady Bulldogs have already matched their total losses last year just in the first round this time around and they have no plans of tasting another one.

Coincidentally, NU’s other loss came against UP in a thrilling five-setter marathon to pave the way for no less than a hammering revenge.

The Fighting Maroons since pulling the rug from under the Lady Bulldogs for a 2-0 start dropped four of their last five games, including three defeats in a row to trip all the way to sixth place.

Super rookie Sam Cantada alongside team captain Vange Alinsug, Arah Panique and Celine Marsh spearhead NU’s bounce back bid against the hungry Diliman spikers led by skipper Niña Ytang, Jelai Gajero, Joan Monares and Fina Ali following the season-ending ACL injury of ace Casiey Dongallo.

In the men’s play, FEU (7-0) wants no let-up from a first-round wipeout against UE (1-6) at 9 a.m. as five-peat champion NU and Santo Tomas, tied at 5-2, dispute solo second spot at 11 a.m. — John Bryan Ulanday