La Salle, UST renew rivalry

Games today:

(Filoil EcoOil Centre)

2 p.m. — Adamson vs Perpetual

4 p.m. — La Salle vs UST

Powerhouse squads De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas rekindle their storied rivalry in a showdown for the championship seat in the 2023 Shakey's Super League National Invitationals knockout semifinal encounter today at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The unbeaten squads battle at 4 p.m. following the 2 p.m. clash between Adamson University and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.

But all eyes will be on the Lady Spikers and Tigresses in a rematch of their University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 Final Four.

Winners of the semis will duke it out for the crown in a best-of-three series starting 9 August.

The reigning UAAP champion La Salle has yet to drop a set after cruising in all of its first three matches including a clinical dismantling of Mindanao qualifier Jose Maria College Foundation, 25-18, 25-14, 25-19, in the quarterfinal last Wednesday.

Despite not fielding UAAP Season 85 Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Angel Canino in the tournament, the Lady Spikers remain the title favorites after a dominating run.

But La Salle knows well that facing a rebuilding but very hungry Tigresses side won't be an easy task this time

"The semifinal is a different kind of ballgame. I told the team that we can't play the way we did in our previous games. We have to raise our level og play in the semis," Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo said.

La Salle will bank on towering wingers Shevana Laput and Alleiah Malaluan and middle blocker Thea Gagate to get the job done against the same squad they eliminated in the UAAP Final Four.

On the other hand, UST hopes to play better against a familiar foe after yielding a set in its win over Luzon qualifier Enderun Colleges, 25-13, 25-16, 21-25, 25-14, in the quarterfinals.

Tigresses head coach Kungfu Reyes acknowledges that they are the underdogs compared to the much taller Lady Spikers.

"Actually, they have new breed of players but La Salle will always have that huge height advantage. We may be vertically challenged but we pride ourselves on having players ready to fight," he said.

Rookie Angeline Poyos along with veterans Regina Jurado, Xyza Gula, Athena Abbu, setter Cassie Carballo and Detdet Pepito banner UST's charge.

Meanwhile, the Lady Altas-Lady Falcons tussle also promises intense action.

Perpetual is the only National Collegiate Athletic Association team left standing after knocking out two-time league champion College of Saint Benilde.

The Las Pinas-based squad leaned on the 33-point explosion of reigning NCAA MVP Rhose Dapol and Winnie Berdana to bring down Lady Blazers, 25-16, 20-25, 28-26, 16-25, 15-12, to gatecrash in semis.

"I could see in them the heart and soul of a true Perpetual player. Hopefully, we can sustain this feistiness and trust in the semis," Lady Altas coach Sandy Rieta said.

Perpetual's victory handed Saint Benilde its first loss in two years to an NCAA team.

Adamson, as the only other team to not drop a set in the tourney next to La Salle, is ready for the Perpetual challenge for a serious finale bid.

"We'll be prepared. We're hoping to show consistency if not surpass what we've displayed so far to the semis," rookie Adamson coach JP Yude said.

The Lady Falcons repulsed Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. champion University of San Jose-Recoletos, 25-9, 25-11, 25-23, in the quarterfinals.

Lucille Almonte, Red Bascon, Rochell Lalongisip and Ayesha Juegos will be the focal point of Adamson's offense to secure a trip to the finals.