Ateneo battles unbeaten NU six

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo and National University try to keep within striking distance of unbeaten De La Salle as they take on separate rivals today at resumption of UAAP Season 75 women’s volleyball action at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lady Eagles battle winless University of the Philippines at 2 p.m., while the Lady Bulldogs collide with on-and-off University of Santo Tomas at 4 p.m.

Ateneo strung up three wins after dropping its season opener to NU to gain a piece of second place heading to the two-week holiday break.

Reeling from a forgettable loss to the Lady Spikers, the Lady Bulldogs needed one morale-boosting victory heading into the holidays.

NU, on the other hand, made short work of Far Eastern University, 25-22, 25-19, 25-19, last Dec. 15 for a 3-1 slate.

Titleholder De La Salle is the only unbeaten team at 4-0. It has not yielded a set this season.

Veterans Alyssa Valdez, Amy Ahomiro and libero Denden Lazaro will lead the way for the Lady Eagles, who are hoping to draw from rookie Jia Morado’s playmaking.

The Lady Maroons are still looking for their first win under new coach Jerry Yee. They are coming off a 9-25, 21-25, 19-25 defeat to the Lady Spikers also last Dec. 15.

UP is at 0-4 alongside University of the East at the bottom of the standings.

The Tigresses are hoping to open the New Year with a bang but they need to find ways to neutralize the Lady Bulldogs’ towering sisters Dindin and Jaja Santiago.

An error-prone UST closed 2013 with a 21-25, 18-25, 18-25 loss to Adamson University last Dec. 18.  Toting an even 2-2 card, the Tigresses are locked in a three-way tie with the Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Falcons at fourth place.

In men’s action, UE takes on De La Salle at 8:30 a.m. and NU faces Ateneo at 10 a.m.