MANILA – Twenty-one Western Visayas-based volleybelles are set to strut their wares when the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament kicks off today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Bacolod City is well represented this season with nine volleybelles, Negros Occidental and Iloilo City has five each, while Guimaras and Antique with one apiece.
Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles will have five Western Visayas based players in Bacolonons Jihan Chuatico, Katherine Shaine Cortez, and Alexia Montoro and Ilonggas Fiona Marie Arroyo and Ma. Robielle Silla.
National University Lady Bulldogs, on the other hand, has four in Shaira Jardio (Talisay City), Arah Panique (San Enrique), Camille Lamina (Guimaras), and rookie Celine Marsh (Bacolod City).
University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, on the other hand, has four in Bacolodnons Joan Marie Monares and Alijah Ysulan, Talisaynon Nikha Cabasac, and Irah Anika Jaboneta (San Jose de Buenavista, Antique).
De La Salle University Lady Spikers, meanwhile, will parade three Region 6-based players in Bacolod City’s Ma. Jessa Ordiales and Angel Canino and Iloilo City’s Amie Provido.
Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws has two in Talisaynon Melody Pons and Bacolodnon Ann Monares, Adamson University Lady Falcons has Ilonggas Athea Aposaga and Trixie Demontano, and University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers have one in Silay City, Negros Occidental-native Cassie Carballo.
Set to faceoff on opening day today are the Fighting Maroons and University of the East Lady Warriors at 1 p.m., to be followed by the Golden Tigresses-Lady Tamaraws at second game at three in the afternoon.
Battling on Sunday, meanwhile, are the Blue Eagles and Lady Falcons in the first game at 1 p.m., followed by the Lady Spikers-Lady Bulldogs encounter at four p.m./PN
