Blue Eagles eye title NU, La Salle face off for volley finals berth

Games today (Mall of Asia Arena)

2 p.m. – NU vs ADMU (men finals)
4 p.m. – DLSU vs NU (women step-ladder)

MANILA, Philippines - National U tries to ride on the momentum of its straight-set victory over La Salle the last time out as the Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Spikers clash  for the last finals berth in the UAAP women’s volleyball at the MOA Arena today.

The Lady Bulldogs are actually coming off back-to-back victories in the tough step-ladder semis, easing out Far Eastern U, 25-13, 25-17, 25-27, 25-23, for the No. 3 spot before stunning twice-to-beat La Salle, 25-20, 25-20, 25-19, last Wednesday.

The win over the Spikers set up the 4 p.m. rubber match for the right to face thrice-to-beat Ateneo in the finale.

The Blue Eagles, meanwhile, seek their first-ever men’s crown against the Bulldogs in Game 2 of the best-of-three series at 2 p.m.

“We’ll make the necessary adjustments in the actual game but my players are oozing with confidence following our win the last time,” said NU coach Roger Gorayeb.

It was NU’s blocking that spelled the difference with skipper Desiree Dadang coming through with five of NU’s 11, including a single block against Mika Reyes late in the third set.

NU’s towering 6-foot-4 hitter/blocker Jaja Santiago, Myla Pablo, Rizza Mandapat and rookie Jorelle Singh have also sustained their awesome form, making the Bustillos-based squad more dangerous.

But the Lady Spikers have vowed to strike back with Ara Galang and Cyd Demecillo hoping to draw the best from Reyes, Majoy Baron and utility spiker Desiree Cheng.

The women’s finals is set on Wednesday with the Lady Eagles enjoying a big edge following a sweep of the double-round elims.

In men’s finals, the Eagles hacked out a 25-19, 30-28, 20-25, 25-22 victory over three-peat seeking Bulldogs last Wednesday. Reigning MVP Marck Espejo fired a personal, season-high 31 hits for Ateneo, which is gunning for its first men’s title since joining the league in 1978.