Ateneo Lady Eagles in full flight, eye numbers 3

MANILA, Philippines — Back to its “happy” ways, Ateneo shoots for its third straight win while defending champion La Salle, reeling from its first loss, seeks to bounce back as the rivals take on separate opponents in today’s UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

The resurgent Lady Eagles (2-2) seek to achieve this against Adamson (2-2) at 2 p.m. while the Lady Spikers (3-1) look to rebound from their five-set loss to pacesetter National U Lady Bulldogs with a confidence-boosting victory versus the winless University of the East Lady Warriors (0-4) at 4 p.m.

The Lady Eagles have climbed out of a 0-2 start with back-to-back victories over the UST Tigresses and the Lady Warriors, encountering some trouble both times but eventually finding success after reverting to their patented “happy” ways.

“Kailangan lang talaga na mag-enjoy sa laro. Ever since before talaga, when coach Tai Bundit arrived, masaya kami maglaro. Wala na rin makakatalo sa amin if masaya kami eh (We really need to enjoy playing. It’s been our mantra ever since coach Tai Bundit arrived and we feel we’re unbeatable if we’re playing happy),” said skipper Maddie Madayag.

The Lady Falcons, on the other hand, seek to get back on track after the Tigresses Sunday dealt them a deflating 9-25, 29-31, 10-25 loss, which ended their two-game streak.