NU volleyball in do-or-die action

Games today at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum:
2 p.m. – NU vs UST (men semis)
4 p.m. – FEU vs NU (women step-ladder)

National University will have a full afternoon of action at The Big Dome today, with the resumption of postseason collegiate volleyball action.

Kicking off the doubleheader is the men's Final Four matchup against UST at 2pm. The defending champions forced a winner-take-all match after beating the second seeds, 26-24, 28-26, 23-25, and 25-21 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Awaiting the winner is top seed Ateneo on Wednesday. The Blue Spikers dispatched Adamson in the other Final Four matchup.

The second game of the doubleheader features the Lady Bulldogs going up against Far Eastern University in the official start of the stepladder postseason in women's volleyball.

NU has gone 6-3 since the move to hire Roger Gorayeb as head coach, who remains hopeful that they can replicate the feat Ateneo did last season in its ascent to the championship.

The Lady Tamaraws completed the cast after defeating old rivals UST in a a playoff, 25-21, 25-15, 20-25, 16-25, 15-6. The win marks their return to the postseason after missing out on the last two seasons. Libero Tin Agno was the only player from that squad that is still on the roster.

For head coach Shaq delos Santos, he wants to see the Lady Tamaraws to remain focused and enjoying the game, as they play their fourth straight elimination match. He adds, "Maganda ang ikinikilos ng NU, pero hindi kami nawawalan ng pag-asa. Nakakaakyat na kami. Yung butas ng karayom, napapalaki namin. Pero hindi kami puwedeng mag-relax dahil tiyak na magiging intense ang pangyayari sa game (today),"

12 straight for Ateneo in UAAP women's volleyball

Standings   W    L
Ateneo        12   0
La Salle      11   1
Adamson     5    6
NU              5    6
UST             5    7
UP               4    7
FEU            4    7
UE              0    12

Games Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Arena:
8 a.m. – Ateneo vs FEU (men)
10 a.m. – La Salle vs UST (men)
2 p.m. – UST vs UP (women)
4 p.m. – FEU vs NU (women)

Defending champions Ateneo made history on Wednesday afternoon at the Mall of Asia Arena, as they defeated UST, 25-18 25-22 and 25-22 to remain unbeaten this season after twelve games.

Alyssa Valdez's 21 points led the charge as the Lady Eagles reached the 12-win mark in the eliminations for the first time. Amy Ahomiro and Michelle Morente combined to score 23 points, while Jia Morado contributed 33 sets.

"We are really thankful we survived this game talaga. It was very well played. Yung UST, sobrang ganda ng game nila, yung depensa nila. Ipinapakita sa amin na marami pang kailangan na mai-improve," said the reigning MVP.

Much like their win against FEU, the ladies of head coach Anusorn Bundit got some breaks due to opposing errors late, dooming them to back-to-back losses after stringing together four straight wins.

The victory, however, came with some worries, as both Aeriel Patnongon and Maddie Madayag suffered left ankle injuries, with the latter not being able to continue. Valdez herself also had her wrist taped a bit after getting a knock while hustling for a ball. In a positive note, Bea de Leon was suited up to play, although the rookie's services was not needed for this one.

In the other women's match, La Salle continued their impressive form with a 25-6 25-17 and 25-17 victory over winless UE. Ara Galang and Mika Reyes led the Lady Spikers with ten markers apiece.

For last season's finals participants, yesterday marked the first day of their cramped schedule, to be capped off by their much anticipated second round meeting on February 18.

Earlier, the postseason cast for men's volleyball was officially set, after defending champions National University eliminated Far Eastern University, 25-13 25-23 25-23. Adamson had officially booked its seat after dispatching a winless UE side, 25-16 25-15 and 25-20.

Alfafara and Espejo lead MVP charge in UAAP 77 men's volleyball

Games Sunday at The Arena in San Juan:

8 a.m. – Ateneo vs UE (men)
10 a.m. – UP vs NU (men)
2 p.m. – UP vs Ateneo (women)
4 p.m. – UE vs La Salle (women)

The last two MVPs in UAAP men's volleyball are leading the way in the chase for this season's top individual award.

Season 75 MVP and UST ace Mark Alfafara is tops in the league in scoring with 106 points (on 95 spikes, eight blocks, and three service aces), while Season 76 ROY-MVP Marck Espejo is in second with 93 points (78 attacks, eight blocks, and seven service aces).

Completing the top five in scoring are freshman Edward Camposano of UE (82 points), Romnick Rico of UST (81 points), and Fauzi Ismail (76 points) of the two-time defending champions NU.

The Bulldogs remain undefeated so far this season, and it is in part due to the efforts of three players leading the league in certain categories.

Ismail is the top spiker so far with a 56.8% rating, while last season's Finals MVP Peter Torres is the top blocker with a 1.11 average per set. Vince Mangulabnan is the top server with a 0.56 average per set.

Completing the cast of outstanding men's volleyball players so far are Adamson's Rence Melgar, who leads the league in digs (3.05 per set) and in receiving (46.89%), while Ateneo Blue Spiker Ish Polvorosa is the top setter (9.11 per set).

Volleyball action will kick off 2015 for the UAAP, with the Ateneo facing UE at 8am, followed by NU against UP at 10am.

*Stats come from TMX Sports, which is the official statistician for UAAP volleyball.

NU, UST nab UAAP beach volleyball crowns

National University and the University of Santo Tomas needed three games to dispatch their respective opponents this past weekend to secure the UAAP titles for men's and women's beach volleyball at the sand courts of UE Caloocan.

The tandem of Josephenry Tipay and Edwin Tolentino for National University downed the Tiger Spikers duo of Kris Roy Guzman and Mark Alfafara to secure their third straight title in the men's division and matching FEU for the most number of titles since the event became part of the official UAAP calendar.

On Saturday, NU took Game 1, 15-21, 21-18, and 17-15, but UST forced a winner-take-all on Sunday with a 23-21 and 21-16 victory.

The decided went to the full three-set limit, 19-21, 21-18, and 17-15, with Tipay securing the match-clinching kill. He was then awarded the Most Valuable Player crown.

"Great exit, napakaganda ng team chemistry namin," said Tipay. "Hindi naging madali para sa amin, pero nandoon ang puso namin. Hindi kami nagpabaya."

Tiger Spikers head coach Emil Lontoc remained positive in spite of the defeat, saying "Masaya pa rin. Mag-aral na lang tayo sa pagkukulang natin at 'yung tama, itama pa natin ng todo."

UE's Edward Camposano was named as the Rookie of the Year.

In the women's side, the rookie duo of Cherry Rondina and Rica Rivera belied their perceived inexperience to lead UST back atop the heap, taking down La Salle in three games.

Undefeated in the eliminations, UST took Game 1, 21-15 and 25-23, ending the match on a Rivera service ace.

La Salle finally managed to put a blemish on the Lady Spikers' record in Game 2, 16-21, 22-20, and 18-16, as Cyd Demecillo secured the final two points needed to establish the win and prevent the sweep.

Securing a split forced a Game 3 on Sunday morning. UST started off slow, going down 0-4, but managed to regroup, eventually uncorking ten straight points to take control of the match. They would eventually win the first set, 21-15.

The second set saw a curious move by DLSU head coach Ramil de Jesus, inserting Ara Galang in place of Demecillo to partner with Kim Fajardo, but the change did not faze UST as Rondina's service ace ensured a 16-6 lead, allowing the Lady Spikers to eventually coast to a 21-11 win.

Rondina was named as the MVP, while Rivera was named as the Rookie of the Year. The tandem already brought honor to the school this past summer at the Philippine National Games, netting a silver medal for their efforts.

"Na-pressure lang kami siguro, nadala lang siguro kami sa cheering ng mga tao," said Rondina, adding that, "Hindi ako makapaniwala kasi mga beterano kasi ang mga kinalaban namin. Ang sa amin eh yung maglaro kung anong itinuro sa amin ni coach (Emil Lontoc)."

Lontoc gave the ladies their due, "Fast learner sila. Pagdating sa ball training, doon sila lumalamang sa mga kalaban at the same time 'yung ball quickness. Kapag nag-mature pa sila, mas malaki pa ang tiyansa manalo."

Rivera chimed in, "Malaking achievement kasi nga Rookie of the Year, pero mas masayang part na nag-champion kami, na 'yun nakuha naming title as rookies."

In an interview, de Jesus explained that the decision to replace Cyd with Ara was due to the former having a problem with her right foot that came up after Game 2.

Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championships to commence today on TV5

Today marks the opening of the Asian Men's Club Volleyball Championships, presented by PLDT Home Fibr.

To be held at the MOA Arena and the Cuneta Astrodome, the AMCC will commence with the opening ceremonies at 12 noon, followed by the opening match featuring first-time participants and hosts, the Philippines (represented by PLDT Home TVolution) against Mongolia at 2:00 PM.

Originally 18 teams, the field was whittled down to 16 after withdrawals from Kuwait and India. The champions will represent the confederation in the World Championships in Brazil.

TV5 will broadcast the AMCC matches, including all the Filipino matches. TVolution will also stream the matches.

For more details: http://asianmensvball.pldthome.com/