NU tests Adamson’s mettle

Games Wednesday:

(MOA Arena)

10:00 a.m. — Adamson vs NU

12:00 p.m. — FEU vs UST

2:00 p.m. — Ateneo vs UE

4:00 p.m. — La Salle vs UP

Defending champion National University targets a second straight win against strong opposition in Adamson University in another action-packed day at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women's volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Bulldogs, who opened their title-retention bid with a resounding victory over Ateneo de Manila University over the weekend, expect nothing but a dogfight in their 10 a.m. clash.

NU displayed balanced scoring in downing the Blue Eagles, 25-15, 25-20, 25-16, last Saturday for its 19^th straight win stretching back to the pandemic-canceled Season 82 back in 2020.

Despite their huge advantage in firepower head coach Karl Dimaculangan remains wary of how dangerous the Lady Falcons are under new mentor Jerry Yee.

"We tried to prepare well and plot our game plan against them. Let's see where we stand against Adamson which is running under a new system," he said.

"For sure, this is a different team we're facing right now."

Reigning Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Bella Belen spearheads NU's charge along with Alyssa Solomon, Ces Robles, middles Sheena Toring and Erin Pangilinan, graduating libero Jen Nierva and setter Lams Lamina.

Adamson is sure to give NU a hard time being one of the top contenders this season.

The Lady Falcons demolished University of  the East, 25-19, 25-9, 25-5, behind the double-digit efforts of Lucille Almonte and freshman Trisha Tubu.

Yee sees the match as a gauge of where Adamson is in the field.

"So, they are the defending champions so all of us are looking up to them. So we'll see where our standards are compared to theirs. That's how I see it," Yee said.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University seeks a follow-up to its four-set win over University of the Philippines when it faces opening day loser University of Santo Tomas at noon.

Ateneo and UE cross paths at 2 p.m. while De La Salle University, which is coming off a five-set escape over UST, takes on UP at 4 p.m.

In men's play, the Bulldogs gun for their second straight win against the Falcons in their 2 pm encounter at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

NU swept Ateneo, 25-23 25-11 25-20, to open its three-peat bid as hostilities in the division began last Saturday after a three-year pandemic hiatus.

Adamson, on the other hand, suffered an 18-25, 22-25, 14-25, beating at the hands of UE.

Kicking off the quadruple header is the Blue Eagles-Red Warriors clash at 10 a.m. followed by opening day losers Green Spikers and Maroons showdown at 12 p.m.

Capping the day is the Tigers and Tamaraws battle for back-to-back wins at 4:00 p.m.