La Salle wary of NCAA champion

Games Saturday:
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
10 a.m. — Lyceum vs EAC
12:30 p.m. — FEU vs Letran
3 p.m. — La Salle vs Saint Benilde
5:30 p.m. — UE vs San Beda

Another tough battle awaits crowd-favorite De La Salle University when the Lady Spikers return to action Saturday in the Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Pride will be at stake in the 3 p.m. Pool D encounter when La Salle shoots for a second straight win against sister-school reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association champion College of Saint Benilde, a squad looking to bounce back from a stinging opening day loss.

Meanwhile, debuting Lyceum of the Philippines University and Emilio Aguinaldo College collide in the curtain-raiser at 10 a.m. in Pool B.

Far Eastern University will try to get back on the winning track as the Lady Tamaraws welcome Letran at 12:30 p.m. in Pool D while University of the East and San Beda University battle in Pool A at 5:30 p.m.

But all focus will be on the Lady Spikers-Lady Blazers tussle.

La Salle is fresh from a tough win over FEU, 25-13, 19-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-8, last week.

Saint Benilde, on the other hand, was the victim of the Lady Tamaraws, 20-25, 26-24, 25-19, 22-25, 11-15, two weeks ago.

With just four teams in their pool, every win is crucial to advance to the next round.

Another victory will boost the Lady Spikers' quarterfinals drive but it won't be an easy task as they need to hurdle a team desperate for a win to keep its own bid alive.

"We cannot take CSB lightly. They carry with them the pride of being NCAA champions and coming off a loss, for sure they want to bounce back," La Salle coach Noel Orcullo said.

Veterans Jolina de la Cruz, Thea Gagate, Alleiah Malaluan and Fifi Sharma, who delivered crucial plays in the Lady Spikers' win, are again expected to lead the charge for La Salle against reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player Mycah Go, Gayle Pascual, Jade Gentapa and Michelle Gamit.

FEU holds a 1-1 win-loss slate at second spot in Pool D.

The Lady Warriors are reeling from a stunning 22-25, 25-27, 16-25, defeat at the hands of University of Perpetual Help last week after a tough five-set opening day win over Mapua University.

The Lady Red Spikers, on the other hand, are winless in two outings.