The DLSU Lady Spikers are staying on their toes even as the field opens up with the departure of NU’s Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.
The UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball presents a lot of intrigue with defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs going through a rebuild phase after bidding goodbye to both Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.
But the DLSU Lady Spikers are in no way, shape, or form letting their guard down.
Going 1-2 in their win-loss finals record against the Lady Bulldogs, assistant coach Noel Orcullo believes that the team is equally as capable in the new season.
Not only are they being careful with NU, but with the rest of the field as well.
“So far, wala naman kaming [tinitignan] na team. Lahat naman 'yun competitive. Even the other teams, lahat talaga sobrang nag-step up. Wala ka nang sasabihin mong madaling kalaban. Lahat na mahirap,” he told media at the sidelines of the UAAP Season 88 volleyball press conference.
As for NU, specifically, Orcullo said that there is still an abundance of talent to go around.
With key holdovers like Arah Panique, Vange Alinsug, and veteran setter Lams Lamina, the Lady Bulldogs are still a formidable championship contender.
Worse for La Salle is the addition of NU rookie Sam Cantada.
“Kahit sabihin mong wala si Bella, wala si Aly, andoon pa rin naman 'yung core ng NU. May pumalit pa 'yun — si Cantanda. Nakita naman natin 'yung performance niya [nung offseason]. Sobrang maganda,” said Orcullo.
Choosing their battles
At the end of the day, the Lady Spikers are choosing to focus on themselves.
The rest of the field has gone through a lot of change, but La Salle are staying constant in their tried and tested system.
[READ:
Shevana Laput encourages La Salle to look inward for UAAP Season 88]
With another playmaker on the way, La Salle is hoping to make the most of Shevana Laput and Angel Canino’s prime with the collegiate powerhouse.
“Actually, wala naman nagbago sa amin. 'Yung nga, isa pa, bago na naman 'yung setter namin, rookie. So, eto na naman. Hopefully, maging maganda 'yung performance,” Orcullo said, speaking of incoming rookie Eshana Nunag.
“Nandiyan pa [rin] naman [din] si Micole Reyes. I think, sa nakikita naman namin, magpa-perform naman ng maayos [yung team],” he continued.
La Salle faces an interesting litmus test in their opening game of the season, going up against the FEU Lady Tamaraws on opening day, February 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.