Although expected to be among the top teams alongside finalists La Salle and NU, few expected the young España-based squad to earn wins against both squads on the way to what is now a 6-0 record with one game left in the first round of eliminations.

On a historic and well-earned winning streak, the all-heart Tigresses have now matched the program’s best start since UAAP Season 73, when the likes of Rhea Dimaculangan and the iconic Aiza Maizo still led the way for UST.

After reaching the 13-year best mark off a close sweep of winless UP, 25-22, 25-20, 26-24, on Wednesday, March 13, the present-day Tigresses admitted that the team’s former stars have been their sources of confidence as they hustle to keep the momentum going into the second round.

“As a player, I use them as motivation this season especially during this great start,” super rookie Angge Poyos said in Filipino after erupting for 22 points in just three sets. “But on our part, we shouldn’t be complacent since the season is still long and there’s still the second round. No time to relax.”

“I respect my ates and just use them as inspiration,” echoed rookie blocker Em Banagua in Filipino. “I need to make a name for myself as well, keep contributing to the team, and lessen my overthinking.”

Laced within the Tigresses’ answers is a healthy mix of pride and caution, which is exactly the right combination of emotions to keep the whole team grounded while at the top.

In fact, young UST should look no further than how its idols’ story back in 2011 ended: a two-game finals sweep at the hands of mighty La Salle, then led by the likes of Cha Cruz and Michele Gumabao.

If this season’s Tigresses were to rewrite past history, they are on the right track by not staying complacent, like they have said multiple times in previous games, and again versus UP.

“One game at a time,” as the age-old cliché goes. – Rappler.com

The former rookie project of the defunct F2 Logistics led the way with 17 points in just three sets – her best scoring outing yet in a Chameleons uniform – to go with 11 excellent digs, while fellow young hitter Lycha Ebon scored 15 on 11 attacks, 3 blocks, and 1 ace as Nxled broke through with a 1-3 record.

“I think I’m 90% healthy, just so Coach Taka [Minowa] won’t overthink,” Lacsina joked in Filipino. “I can’t really say what percentage I’m at. It depends on what I’m able to do.”

“It’s not totally 100%, but our physical therapists and coaches are doing what they can to lessen the pain,” added Lacsina, one game after captain Dani Ravena accidentally crashed on her left leg on a routine ball reception in Nxled’s loss against Cignal last Thursday, March 7.

Meanwhile, the defending champion Creamline Cool Smashers likewise cruised in the first game of the PhilSports Arena double-header, manhandling the winless upstart Strong Group Athletics (SGA), 25-13, 25-13, 25-19, to rise to a clean 4-0 slate.

Reserve spiker Bernadeth Pons made the most of her spot start with 12 points in just two sets played as captain Alyssa Valdez added 9, also in just two frames.

Notably, Pons’ fellow national beach volleyball team standout Dij Rodriguez made her long-awaited Creamline debut against SGA, tallying 5 points off the bench, and Pons couldn’t be happier for her friend’s entry to professional volleyball.

“I’m happy because our talks of returning to indoor volleyball finally materialized,” she said in Filipino. “We even all wanted to be on the same team, but of course, there’s a reason why one (Sisi Rondina) was separated from us.”

“But still, I’m very happy for [Dij] because we all know that she can perform well,” added Pons, who came to Creamline in June last year, while Rondina landed with sister team Choco Mucho around the same time.

Dolly Versoza paced SGA’s losing cause down a 0-4 record with 8 points, while Alyssa Eroa tallied 14 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions for Galeries, now also at 0-4 in the standings’ cellar. – Rappler.com

Former rookie MVP Bella Belen has once again been a force in the women’s division, nimbly complementing her reliable scoring punch with undeniable defensive stats that the Lady Bulldogs sorely needed in their five-game winning streak since losing to the UST Golden Tigresses.

NU’s men’s team has likewise picked up the pace, with first-year standout Jade Disquitado definitively avenging the Bulldogs’ end of a lengthy 34-game victory run through a powerful attacking skill set already beyond his years.

For their consistent efforts in lifting the vaunted NU volleyball program through the early goings of the season, Belen and Disquitado have been named the Collegiate Press Corps Players of the Week for the period of March 6 to 10.

Ever the feisty, yet humble star, the 21-year-old Belen deflected credit of her recent achievements to her teammates, who have helped her get the Lady Bulldogs back on track with their own standout performances.

“We’re really happy because we’ve seen that we can all contribute,” she said in Filipino. “Our team is not about building star players. We all want to rise as one, with no one left behind.”

Belen, who averaged 15.0 points, 14.5 excellent digs, and 8 excellent receptions in the week’s two-game stretch, bested La Salle rival and MVP Angel Canino, former Player of the Week Angge Poyos of UST, and FEU leader Gerzel Petallo for the award handed by reporters regularly covering the beat.

Disquitado, the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference Finals MVP, likewise deferred his outings to the people surrounding him, most notably NU’s multi-titled system architect Dante Alinsunurin.

“I’m just happy that I’m having good games while following Coach Dante’s system and following my teammates,” he said in Filipino.

The 19-year-old hotshot, who peaked with a 29-point, 23-reception outing over FEU, bested teammate Owa Retamar, La Salle’s Vince Maglinao, and Ateneo’s Jian Salarzon for the award presented by the San Miguel Corporation and supported by minor sponsors Discovery Suites and Jockey. – Rappler.com

At least that’s the opinion of the La Salle coaches, who expect more from the Lady Spikers even after they swept the Fighting Maroons, 25-15, 25-17, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, March 10.

The defending champions claimed their third consecutive straight-set win to improve to 5-1, but the La Salle coaching staff headed by Ramil de Jesus is far from pleased.

“We’re not satisfied with the way they move. We need some polishing going into the game next week. We have to work on our lapses and correct our mistakes,” said Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo in Filipino.

“The connection should be there. We need to work on that during our one-week break.”

Reigning MVP Angel Canino showed the way for La Salle with 16 points, firing 13 attacks to go with 2 blocks and 1 ace.

Shevana Laput tallied 9 points, Thea Gagate put up 8 points, and Alleiah Malaluan added 6 points in the swift win that saw the Lady Spikers dispose of UP in under 1 hour and 30 minutes.

As dominant as La Salle has been, though, since it suffered a five-set heartbreak against the UST Golden Tigresses, Canino acknowledged the team still has a long way to go.

“The skills are there. The only things missing are our connection and communication inside,” said Canino. “Everything has been given to us already, we just need to work on them.”

After crushing their last three opponents, the Lady Spikers face a major test as they tangle with the NU Lady Bulldogs next on March 16 in a rematch of the Season 85 finale.

Much has changed for La Salle since its title romp, with the team now without former veterans Jolina dela Cruz, Fifi Sharma, Mars Alba, and Justine Jazareno.

“Coach Ramil says that we should not look for those who are no longer here. We have to work on with whatever we have. We have everything. We just need to jell,” said Canino.

Joan Monares finished with 9 points to pace the Fighting Maroons, who remained winless after five games and stayed at the bottom of the standings. – Rappler.com

All 12 rotation players scored for NU as it stretched its winning streak in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament with a 25-13, 25-19, 25-16 sweep of the UE Lady Warriors at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, March 10.

Except for their two liberos, the Lady Bulldogs drew scoring contributions from their entire 14-man squad in a concerted effort to spread the wealth.

“We’re happy because we saw that anyone in the team can contribute. In our team, we’re not building star players. We all want to succeed with no one left behind,” said Belen in Filipino.

The Season 84 rookie MVP, Belen paced NU in its fifth consecutive victory as she fired 11 points built on 10 attacks and 1 block.

Belen hardly needed to carry the offensive cudgels, with five of her teammates scoring at least 5 points and the other six putting up at least 2 points.

Vange Alinsug backstopped Belen with 9 points followed by Aishat Bello (7 points), Alyssa Solomon (5 points), Nathasza Bombita (5 points), and Arah Panique (5 points).

In contrast, only five players scored for the Lady Warriors as they fell to 1-5.

For Belen, the balanced attack bodes well for NU as it continues to build momentum after starting the season with a surprising sweep loss at the hands of unbeaten league leaders UST Golden Tigresses.

“I think we’re still not on our peak,” said Belen. “The season is still long. It is not ideal to peak this early. We’re taking it slow.”

Riding high on their stellar run, the Lady Bulldogs will have their mettle tested as they go up against defending champion La Salle Lady Spikers in their first UAAP encounter since the Season 85 finals.

“La Salle is a champion team. We know that it is not going to be easy,” said Belen.

Casiey Dongallo showed the way for UE with 11 points in the loss that marked the fifth consecutive for the struggling Lady Warriors. – Rappler.com

Choco Mucho said the latest round of medical tests showed Ogunsanya injured her ACL and other structures in her left knee following a bad fall against the Nxled Chameleons in the PVL All-Filipino Conference last February 22.

“We are disheartened by this unfortunate development, considering Aduke had just fully recovered from her previous injury and is making a strong return,” the Flying Titans said in a statement. “We are, however, confident in her resilience and spirit to overcome this challenge once again.”

Ogunsanya also sustained a torn ACL in her right knee in July 2022 – an injury that kept her out for over a year before she returned to PVL action in November 2023 for the Second All-Filipino Conference last season.

Disaster, though, struck again for the former La Salle Lady Spikers standout as she landed awkwardly after a block attempt against Nxled.

Choco Mucho said Ogunsanya will undergo surgery and will need 9 to 12 months to recuperate.

“Management will provide Aduke with the best possible treatment and medical attention to ensure that she will be back with the team at the appropriate time, stronger than ever before,” the Flying Titans said.

Out for the rest of the PVL season, Ogunsanya joins teammate Des Cheng, who also suffered an ACL tear, on the sidelines.

Despite injuries to key players, Choco Mucho won its first three games in the All-Filipino Conference to share the lead with fellow unbeaten teams Cignal and Creamline. – Rappler.com

The Japanese Volleyball Association on Friday, March 8, announced that Santiago and Cuban spiker Melissa Valdes had been added to the original 24-woman training pool selected by head coach Masayoshi Manabe.

It has been a couple of years since Santiago, a 6-foot-5 middle blocker, got offered a Japanese citizenship as she continues to make waves in the Japan V.League Division 1.

Santiago, though, has yet to be naturalized, according to her Japanese husband Taka Minowa, who serves as director of volleyball operations for Premier Volleyball League (PVL) clubs Akari Chargers and Nxled Chameleons.

Minowa wrote on X on Friday that Santiago joining the training camp is a “really big step for her dream.”

Santiago started playing in Japan for the Saitama Ageo Medics in 2018, reinforcing the squad until 2023 in between her stints in the PVL.

The former NU Lady Bulldogs standout then signed with the JT Marvelous and helped the team finish as runner-up in the recently concluded 2023-24 V.League season as they lost to defending champion NEC Red Rockets.

Undoubtedly one of the finest players in the V.League, Santiago won Best Spiker and Best Blocker and made the Best Six last season.

The Japanese women’s volleyball team hopes to qualify for the Olympics for the sixth straight edition. – Rappler.com

The Lady Warriors tapped Kurashiki Ablaze assistant coach Shota Sato as consultant and opposite spiker Asaka Tamaru as deputy, the team announced on Friday, March 8. 

“With coach Jerry temporarily away, they take the reins, and the players are excited,” said UE team manager Jared Lao. “As the saying goes, ‘It ain’t over ’til it’s over,’ and under their leadership, we’re ready for the journey ahead.”

The UAAP slapped Yee with a season-long suspension spanning three months for “conduct violative of the purposes” of the league, allegedly stemming from a contract dispute involving his former employer Adamson. 

Yee maintained there was “no ethical breach” in his decision to move to UE, adding that the suspension was “uncalled for and there was no due process.”

Sato served as assistant coach for Kurashiki Ablaze, the Japanese team that dominated the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference under mentor Hideo Suzuki.

Tamaru also impressed in her PVL stint, winning the First Best Opposite Spiker in the same conference.

The Lady Warriors’ coaching staff of Obet Vital, Stephanie Cholico, Allan Mendoza, Ludio Dulce, Gregory Ericta, John Paul Martires, and Jelai Gajero welcomed Sato and Tamaru’s addition to the squad.

Sato and Tamaru, who arrived in the Philippines on Thursday, March 7, will make their coaching debuts on Sunday, March 10, when the UE Lady Warriors battle National University Lady Bulldogs at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The Lady Warriors, even with super rookie Casiey Dongallo, stand near-bottom with a 1-4 record. – Rappler.com

Kyle Negrito welcomed all Cool Smashers to her playmaking party at the PhilSports Arena, as she tallied 18 excellent sets to spark the balanced attack and help Creamline rise to a 3-0 record in the early goings of the conference.

Super sub Michele Gumabao led all attackers with 10 points off the bench, while MVPs Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez score 9 and 8, respectively, in just two sets played.

Meanwhile, the Cignal HD Spikers followed right behind Creamline in taking a standings lead at 3-0 after routing the winless Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-21, 25-17, 25-21.

Three-time PVL Best Setter Gel Cayuna erupted for 20 excellent sets and 5 points in just three sets, while former MVP Ces Molina topscored with 14 on 11 attacks, 2 blocks, and 1 ace.

Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos was pleased with the positives in his team’s win but likewise rued a frustrating endgame stretch where the HD Spikers allowed an 11-1 garbage-time Nxled run after already leading 23-10.

“I’m feeling mixed emotions,” he said in Filipino. “To be honest, the team had a really good performance, especially the starting six. We just got shaky when we shuffled the rotations in the end.”

Creamline mentor Sherwin Meneses, on the other hand, had nothing but passing marks across the board for the way his bench played in the blowout win against Galeries.

“The rotation was fine. Every game, against any opponent, my entire rotation is capable of stepping up,” he said in Filipino. “They just have to always be ready when their numbers are called.”

Alyssa Eroa paced the Highrisers’ descent down a 0-3 record with 17 excellent digs, complemented by a team-high 11 points from Ysa Jimenez.

Nxled, meanwhile, got a late spark from Jho Maraguinot, who led the losing cause down a similar 0-3 slate with 11 points.

Star recruit Ivy Lacsina added 8 points before exiting the rest of the third set after captain Dani Ravena crashed on her left knee, further complicating a rocky start to the conference fresh off a right knee injury recovery. – Rappler.com

Billed as a thrilling matchup between two young super scorers, UE rookie Casiey Dongallo and La Salle’s sophomore MVP Angel Canino, the Lady Spikers brushed off an error-prone start and showed their true power in the third set, eventually completing a 25-21, 25-18, 25-10 blowout on Wednesday, March 6.

Still, the individual matchup did not disappoint, as Canino dominated the stat sheet with 17 points, 9 excellent digs, and 7 excellent receptions, while Dongallo still shone in a hasty conversion to middle blocker with 15 points on 12 attacks and 3 rejections.

Canino, who powered through minor sickness in the win, had nothing but glowing praises for the person intent on taking her former distinction as the UAAP’s top rookie sensation.

“It’s fun to finally see how she plays,” she said in Filipino of Dongallo, who averaged a staggering, league-leading 26.0 points per game prior to facing La Salle.

“Actually, I’m really happy to have finally faced her in a game.”

Dongallo, practically left speechless when asked about their individual matchup, was likewise filled with awe after competing in what she previously described as a “dream” battle.

“Playing against her, Ate Angel is just so skilled. She’s great. What else can I say?” she said in between laughs, turning to assistant coach Dr. Obet Vital for help in expounding her answer.

“When I was able to receive some of her attacks, Krizzie [Madriaga] told me, ‘She hits so hard,'” Dongallo continued. “Every hit she had, it seemed like we really had a hard time receiving it. There were a lot of points.”

With UE now reeling with its fourth straight loss after a winning start to the season, Dongallo remains focused on learning every game from the league’s top teams and stars like Canino, as every win the once-forgettable Lady Warriors get is a sure step in the right direction.

“La Salle is the standard in [UAAP] volleyball, so the lesson we learned in this game is that we really improved in the new system. There is progress,” Dongallo continued.

“We just have to continue what we’re doing and do more with whatever we’re doing right.”

Win or lose, the valuable lessons will definitely continue to come for UE as it next faces another tough team in perennial finalist NU Lady Bulldogs on Sunday, March 10, 2 pm, at the Mall of Asia Arena. – Rappler.com