After a season-long war of attrition between ten teams, the smoke clears to reveal the final four in contention for the title of NCAA Season 87 Volleyball Champions: The San Beda Red Spikers, The University of Perpetual Help Altas, The Arellano University Chiefs, and The College of St. Benilde Blazers. However, just as quickly as the smokescreen dissipated does one anticipate sparks to fly as the first round opens immediately with a battle for dominance between the Red Spikers and the Chiefs.
There will be no room for much more than blood, sweat and tears as the Red Spikers seek to overturn their opponent’s victory last December 16, 2011. It is clearly much more than a physical battle, as both teams have proven themselves capable of exhibitions in power.
“Our team is 100% prepared for the semis. What we need now is to prepare mentally and to feel the semis by our hearts,” tweets San Beda Team Captain James Lorca.
And a mental game it is indeed, seeing as how despite garnering 15 more points on kills than the Arellano squad last time they fought, they also had 21 more unforced errors.
A quick review of the past match between San Beda College and Arellano University provided for a few noticeable strategic details. The latter team employs the perimeter defensive system with their offside defenders given small leeway in terms of positioning on base defense. However, their defensive strategies seem to change with each individual hitter. For example, they would switch to the rotational defensive system when the ball was given to Outsider Hitter Mhelvic Biscocho, sensing his preference for hitting down the line. They also opted to put a triple block up whenever Outside Hitter Lorenzo Capate was up for a hit, leaving a lot of court open for an easy tip.
All in all, the match-up will be a test of finesse between two bulky giants. If the Red Spikers manage to minimize their errors and play smarter, more solid volleyball, they can easily muscle their way through their opponent.
They say that passions flare as seasons come to a close. Watch as one of the most intense games in NCAA Season 87 unfolds on January 25, 2012 in the Ninoy Aquino Stadium at 2PM.
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