fiona-de-leon
The University Athletic Association of the Philippines volleyball tournament is divided into four divisions, namely men's, women's, boys' and girls'. Volleyball is a mandatory sport in the women's division. The UAAP volleyball tournament was formerly held in the first semester of the school year. Then in Season 69 (school year 2006-2007), the UAAP Board decided that it be moved to the second semester. This decision was made so that the games can be televised to improve its popularity.
With her tall frame and power, Jaja Santiago is a behemoth who draws collective oohs and aahs from her fans and even the supporters of opposing teams.
Fans of the Lady Spikers heaved a huge sigh of relief when Kim Fajardo decided to use her last playing year and understandably so because aside from her impeccable setting, Fajardo brings so much more to the court.
Cherry Bomb. Cherry on Top. Rondinapapagod.
Hers is a name that has inspired a number of monikers. And why not, when despite her very small frame, Cherry Rondina has emerged as one of the most explosive spikers in the league.
The Batangas native is undoubtedly a talented spiker with unrivaled hops and the capacity to provide for her team. But just like the other skilled players in the squad, Maraguinot will be playing without Valdez to bail them out if things do not go their way. Good for her and their fans, she still has teammates Julia Morado, Bea de Leon and Mitch Morente to show the league that they are just as lethal.
Despite being one of the youngest players in that team, Pons shone the brightest, often eclipsing the performance of more senior teammates Aiza Maizo and Frances Molina. Pons hopes to carry that deadly performance in the UAAP to help FEU do better than its third-place finish last season.
While she is recognized as a powerful hitter, Galanza had the luxury of sharing the responsibility with the likes of Paat, Bang Pineda and Amanda Villanueva before. Now, aside from being expected to deliver the points for the team, she will also be relied on to guide her young teammates.
Adorador, who chose to stay in UE despite being recruited by schools with better programs, is probably the best player to don the Lady Warrior jersey since the graduation of Suzanne Roces. She has shown flashes of brilliance even in her stint with Generika Lifesaver in the Philippine SuperLiga, but does she have enough firepower—and more importantly, the maturity—to tow UE to more than just one win this season?
Two years ago, Ennajie Laure was the most recruited player out of high school. Despite tempting offers from other squads, she chose to stay in UST and subsequently earned the moniker as “The Phoenix,” the great hope of the flailing UST volleyball program.
Coach Gerry Yee and the Lady Maroons had a recruitment coup last season with the likes of Tots Carlos and Justine Dorog. But Isa Molde shone the brightest not just among her neophyte teammates, but also among a solid crop of rookies in the entire tournament.
Dawn Macandili had a fairy tale 2016. Aside from winning the championship for DLSU, she was also named as the Most Valuable Player in the All-Filipino conference of the Philippine SuperLiga, the first libero to notch the highest plum in the tournament.
