UAAP Volleyball Season 73 Opening Weekend

FEU's Rosemarie Vargas goes for a block.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Yup, it's time for men's basketball to step aside and have the ladies take over. The UAAP Volleyball Season 73 has officially kicked off. 1,283 fans trooped The Arena in San Juan to watch the best volley-belles in the UAAP.

The first round matches have begun as well.

The Lady Tamaraws huddle up.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

In game one, the Far Easter University Lady Tamaraws are looking to go back into title contention. Meanwhile the National University Lady Bulldogs have something to prove that they are one of the top teams in the league. It was obviously my first time to see these tall and high leaping gals in action. Although some are just about my height but most of them are close to being 6 feet tall.

Saw former Lady Tamaraw herself, Rachel Anne Daquis on the sidelines -- she's now part of the FEU Coaching Staff, by the way. She still looks pretty as always. I'm still in awe with her presence even though she's not playing anymore. I also spotted former PBA Import Bobby Parks Sr. showing some love for the NU Lady Bulldogs

The Lady Bulldogs celebrate their win against FEU.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

I mentioned a while ago about NU having to prove a lot in the UAAP -- they made some noise when they defeated the Lady Tamaraws 3 sets to 1. Robey Megio's efforts with 18 points wasn't enough to help her team to even get an equalizer on NU in the 3rd set. They almost made a comeback in set 4 but it was all too late. FEU's 315 errors told the story. The Lady Bulldogs were just consistent -- period.

Mervic Mangui led the Lady Bulldogs with 19 points and was obviously the best player of the game.

UST fans in the house.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Game two and it's time now for the UST Tigresses and the Ateneo Lady Blue Eagles' turn for a crack at getting their first W of the season. Surprisingly, the majority of the crowd are UST fans/students. I was wondering where the other Ateneo fans as I saw a handful of them in the Arena. I mean, how can you not support these pretty Blue Blooded Spikers? I would, but that's another story. Not to be outdone, the Tigresses got some faces that are eye candy as well. I just love hearing the PA announcer mention UST's Midori Hirotsuji's name whenever it's her turn to make a serve. Japanese names sound really nice -- that's just me of course.

The UST Lady Tigresses' tight D on the Ateneo Lady Spikers.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

The defending Volleyball champs looked so relaxed and focused in their game. The Ateneo Lady Spikers are obviously hungry to win a title this season. I don't blame them for being a little jealous of their men's hoops team. Winning against the Tigresses could be their first step at their title hopes.

Both teams try to figure out where the ball is gonna land.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Ateneo almost scored an upset on UST but would fall to them in the end. The Tigresses won by 3 sets to 2. Aiza Maizo of UST was a beast in the game with 32 points. The efforts of Ateneo's Ma. Carmina Acevedo wasn't enough to carry her team to victory with 15 points.

Here are the results of the Men's Volleyball action in day 1:

DLSU -- 3 NU -- 0

Scores per set: 25-12, 25-20, 25-15

UST -- 3 Ateneo 0

Scores per set: 25-20, 25-16, 25-17

Day 2 of Opening Weekend and it's the UP Lady Maroons against the UE Lady Warriors for the first match. A packed crowd as well for this game. The Lady Maroons veteran Carmela Lopez didn't seem to care how strong the Lady Warriors were. There was no pressure on her or her team whatsoever. UE is also one of the favorites to winning the championship this year and that may be the motivation they needed.

The 1st set was an easy one for the Lady Maroons but somehow UE equalized the score in the second set. I thought UP's South Ramos was playing well -- not according to her coach's watch. She's eye candy too and I was hoping she'd be given smore playing time for obvious reasons. The next 2 sets looked to be close for The Lady Warriors HOWEVA, it was the UP that prevailed and won 3-1.

Carmela Lopez was sure choice to be the best player for the game with 18 points.

Game 2 pits the Adamson Lady Falcons and De La Salle Lady Archers for the main event.

Cha Cruz of DLSU was the only face familiar to me. She was at the UAAP Thanksgiving and Media event about a couple of weeks ago. Glad to see her in action for the first time. My doesn't she and the rest of the athletes look tall on TV? In my experience, they look all taller in person.

Going back to the game, the Lady Archers look relaxed but at the same time I can sense they got fire in their eyes since their loss to UST in last season's championship game. Either way you look at it, Adamson's lineup is undersized compared to DLSU.

Even that was obvious for Lady Falcons' Coach Minerva Pante and her team was getting killed by DLSU's defensive prowess. It sure seems like going up against a wall of sorts. The Lady Archers' attacks was simply too much for Adamson.

Despite Adamson University's Ma. Paulina Soriano's offensive (and defensive) surge in the 3rd set, she and her teammates were still getting an earful from their coach. Not exactly the best start for the Lady Falcons.

In the end, it was an easy win for the Lady Archers against the Lady Falcons 3 sets to nil. The Lady Archers' Cha Cruz was the player of the game with 12 points and Jacqueline Alarca was also contributed with 13.

De La Salle University joins the winners circle as the opening weekend of the UAAP Volleyball Season 73 has ended.

Men's Volleyball day 2 results:

Game 1

Adamson -- 3 UE --0

Scores per set: 25-18, 25-23, 25-21

Game 2

FEU -- 3 UP -- 1

Scores per set: 25-17, 25-23, 25-18, 25-20