LIVE UPDATES: UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball

Erin Pangilinan eager to do better as NU Lady Bulldogs starter

Erin Pangilinan was satisfied with her first start for National University as they started their title defense with a rousing victory over Ateneo in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday

With the Lady Bulldogs starting life without Ivy Lacsina who opted to turn pro for F2 Logistics, Pangilinan admitted it was challenging to replace their former middle blocker but she used it as a motivation in embracing her bigger role. FULL STORY

NU crushes Ateneo to open women’s volleyball title defense

National University opened its season with an emphatic demolition of Ateneo 25-15, 25-20, 25-16, at the start of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Alyssa Solomon delivered 12 points with the same quantity of blocks and Princess Robles added seven attacks from her 11 points plus seven excellent digs as the Lady Bulldogs stretched their victory run after sweeping the tournament in Season 84. FULL STORY

Adamson makes quick work of UE in women’s volleyball

Adamson made a rousing debut as it tore University of the East apart with a 25-19, 25-9, 25-5 victory in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

It took just 63 minutes for the Lady Falcons to give their new coach Jerry Yee a winning comeback in the UAAP with Lucille Almonte and rookie spiker Trisha Tubu dealing the damage to the hapless Lady Red Warriors. 

Almonte led Adamson with 12 points built on 10 attacks and two blocks on top of eight digs, while Tubu shone in her first UAAP game with 11 points off eight kills, two aces, and a block. FULL STORY

Schedule of games – February 25

Mall of Asia Arena

12nn – Adamson Lady Falcons vs UE Lady Warriors
2pm – NU Lady Bulldogs vs Ateneo Blue Eagles

NU Belles confident of repeat

The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs did something unexpected last season. Starting Saturday, though, the defending champions know exactly what to expect.

“Now that we are the defending champions, everyone will be after us,” said Maria Belen, the prolific scorer who anchored NU’s perfect 16-0 season last year that ended a 65-year UAAP women’s volleyball championship wait. “Of course, the pressure will be there.” FULL STORY

Video challenge delayed, rituals return when UAAP Season 85 volleyball fires off

The UAAP men’s and women’s volleyball tournaments will have to wait longer for the implementation of the video challenge this season, but pre-pandemic rituals–including the traditional handshakes and change of courts–return amid eased restrictions when the league opens on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The league’s volleyball commissioner Mike Verano on Wednesday said that the video challenge system challenge will be out of commission for the entire first round of Season 85 due to availability issues. FULL STORY

With better support, Eya Laure looks to settle unfinished business in UST

Eya Laure is eager to settle her unfinished business in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament as she leads a revamped University of Santo Tomas team.

Laure, last season’s top scorer with a total of 272 points in the elimination round, took some time before deciding whether she would come back as a Golden Tigress after their third-seeded team collapsed in the stepladder semifinal and lost to the Ateneo Blue Eagles in a do-or-die game.

But the 23-year-old spiker made up her mind last July to continue to play for UST because she wants to finish what she started. FULL STORY

Ateneo leaders Faith Nisperos, Vanie Gandler bringing the team together

Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro is pinning his hopes on co-captains Faith Nisperos and Vanie Gandler in leading the young Blue Eagles as they seek to bounce back this UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament after failed title retention bid last year.

Giving the responsibility to Nisperos and Gandler as the leaders of the team was a no-brainer for Almadro after the hard-hitting pair willed Ateneo back to the Final Four despite their slow start in the eliminations. FULL STORY

UAAP preview: Lady Bulldogs still hungry as rest of the league looks to knock them off their perch

After ending a 65-year title drought last season with a perfect 16-0 campaign, the National University Lady Bulldogs have a target on their backs when they defend their throne this UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament starting on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Bulldogs, bannered by reigning season MVP Bella Belen, Cess Robles, Alyssa Solomon, Lams Lamina, Sheena Toring, and Jennifer Nierva, were far from satisfied despite their historic run as they made the most of the busy offseason to become stronger and better.

Contenders La Salle, Ateneo, and University of Santo Tomas also beefed up their respective rosters, joined the preseason leagues, and held training camp as they are out to redeem themselves after failing to capture the crown last year.

Adamson, Far Eastern University, and University of the Philippines hired seasoned coaches to bolster their programs, while University of the East was able to acquire key additions to improve its line-up.

INQUIRER Sports takes a look at the eight teams before the women’s volleyball tournament fires off as the UAAP brings back the pre-pandemic rituals and protocols as well as the men’s volleyball league for the first time in three years. FULL STORY

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