UAAP volley wars unfold Saturday

MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champions National University Bulldogs and Ateneo Lady Eagles are considered top-tiers, but the rest of the field can’t be counted out in what is expected to be the most competitive UAAP volleyball wars in years.

“All the teams are teams to beat. We don’t train for one team. We train for all the teams competing for this could be the most competitive year in the UAAP,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro ahead of the 82nd UAAP men’s and women’s volleyball action that fires off Saturday at the MOA Arena.

It’s University of the East versus University of the Philippines and Santo Tomas against Far Eastern U both in men’s and women’s play in the season inaugurals.

The next day, in the same venue, the Lady Eagles open their campaign against the La Salle Lady Archers as the Bulldogs also begin their title defense against the Adamson Falcons. Their men’s and women’s counterparts play on the same day.

The Lady Eagles have lost vital cogs Bea de Leon and Maddie Madayag to graduation, but the Katipunan-based team will welcome the return of aces Jho Maraguinot and Jamie Lavitoria, joining holdovers Ponggay Gaston and Kat Tolentino and promising rookie Faith Nisperos.

And that makes Ateneo the team to watch, but the Lady Eagles coach insists the rest of the field are forces to reckon with.

“The UAAP is a long tournament so you cannot say that we’re prepared against a certain team. We have two rounds and every match matters. You may never know what’s in store from a certain squad until you meet them. They can just surprise you, so let’s see,” said Almadro.

The Tigresses, the 2019 losing finalists, will play minus MVP Sisi Rondina but will have EJ Laure back to join her sister, Eya, who is coming off a great ride with the Philippine team.

In the men’s division, NU coach Dante Alinsunurin also downplayed their chances, mentioning the exit of former MVP Bryan Bagunas and national teammates Kim Malabunga and Francis Saura.

“Of course we want the championship for it will be our second chance at the golden three-peat. We hope to complete that goal now. But again, it will not be easy. We’re looking at FEU, La Salle and UST as our closest challengers due the good composition of their squads,” said Alinsunurin.