New Year, new section. From now on, we will be sharing UAAP Women’s Volleyball game forecasts brought to you by Benj Zabat and me, Jannie Gavile. Every issue, we will be writing our game predictions and will share our latest news and information for the upcoming games in the UAAP and also in V-League. You may also share your comments, insights and views regarding your opinions in the comment section.

THE GREEN CORNER #1: ICEBREAKER

Written by: Benj Zabat
Edited by: Jannie Gavile

DLSU – NU

It is this time again; Christmas break is already over and so is the current UAAP volleyball hiatus. UAAP volleyball matches for 2010 will kick-off by the defending champs, the De La Salle Lady Spikers taking on the much improved National University Lady Bulldogs. This is a match-up of the unbeaten and defending champions against the win-seeking team of this season’s competition highlighted by their respective team standings at 7-0 for the Lady Spikers and 0-7 for the Lady Bulldogs. So let’s discuss what has been working for the teams so far first, for the defending champs their blocking in which they are ranked as number one (1) has helped them a lot stopping the offensive arsenal of their opponents while NU has been improved by a much better floor defense and of course, the attacks coming from their emerging star-player Mervic Mangui.

In terms of winning this game, The Lady Spikers can with this if they keep on doing what they do best: blocking, good services and consistent attacks but, a more consistent setting and better distribution of the ball which has been the same weakness of NU this season. Why? Because when Mangui is in the front line the setter’s tendency is to give the ball exclusievely to her and although she converts for around 80% of the time, the others need to step-up and be a “team” if they want to beat a powerhouse team like DLSU. Also, one thing that they need to work on is having more aggressive and consistent attacks although it is worth mentioning and the team can build-up on solid floor defense that they are slowly building upon on. Having said those if DLSU will build on their strengths and NU still would not find their groove, I think DLSU can finish this match in a straight set fashion but do no fret, NU may still pull an upset if, they will improve their setting and attack aggresiveness.

UST –UE

The game pitting UST against UE is a case of height against might. It is a battle of the university belt schools but who will reign for their first meet-up for this year? So let us review what has been going for these teams so far this season. For UST, it is their superior blocking and their good variety of attacks plus the additional energy that is brought by Angeli Tabaquero who was been a dependable scorer for the team since she came back and while for UE their relatively good attacks led by Cristel Rosale tagged along by a good floor defense, something that has been missing in the team for almost all of their games. Also, the team’s tendency to be complacent is something that has been plaguing their performance. On the other side of the court, UE’s lack of intensity (while playing), communication, (overall) consistency and aggression in executing plays has not been helping their cause. In conclusion, I see UST finishing this match in not more than 3 sets.

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