ATENEO stakes its unblemished slate today against a rival so familiar and in a rivalry so storied that each face-off transcends boundaries as the Eagles collide with the La Salle Green Spikers in the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Area in Manila.
Ateneo coach Timmy Sto. Tomas believes their current numbers or the teams’ rankings don’t matter every time they bump into each other.
But this time, they are more ready than the last time they clashed with the Taft-based squad in the UAAP.
“Siguro since medyo matagal na sila magkakasama, alam na nila paano mag-cover sa isa’t isa and they are accountable for each other. As much as possible, they help each other kaya mas fluid ang galaw nila. But we can’t celebrate the victories kasi minsan it takes maturity pa to win this tournament,” said Sto. Tomas, who was also recently named as head coach of Petro Gazz in the Premier Volleyball League.
While the Eagles aim to stay as the lone unbeaten squad in the eight-team field in their showdown at noon, the Green Spikers hope to ride the momentum of their recent victory over the San Beda Red Spikers that hiked their record to 2-1.
Ushering in the four-game bill of the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Bola.TV, Beyond Active Wear, Asics and Mikasa is the San Beda-National U match at 10 a.m.
Odds will be stacked on the Bulldogs’ side with coach Dante Alinsunurin finally back at the helm after steering Choco Mucho to a bronze finish in the VTV Cup in Vietnam.
Struggling teams Mapua U and San Sebastian College-Recoletos square off at 2 p.m. while NCAA’s Saint Benilde tangles with NAASCU’s Enderun Colleges at 4 o’clock.
The 2-0 Lady Blazers, unbeaten in three seasons in the NCAA, aren’t taking the 1-2 Lady Titans lightly,
“Kailangan pa namin ayusin ‘yung defense, service, and blocking. ‘Yun ‘yung tinatrabaho pa namin this tournament na hopefully, maayos na namin bago ang NCAA season,” said St. Benilde coach Jerry Yee.
