WOMEN’S volleyball defending champion University of Baguio Lay Cardinals remains the team to beat when the second phase of the Baguio–Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) season 31 resumes next month.
Although the Lady Cardinals will miss the services of setter Cherry Ann Attuban and hitter Nicole Guyguyon, who have already graduated from college, the team is practically intact as it sets it sight for a rare four peat.
Even without Guyguyon and Attuban, coach Jhiesel Agudia said the team has a big chance of retaining the women’s crown as they will be beefed up by some of the region’s top women volleyball player.
Agudia said they have not yet completed their line – up for the coming tournament but she sees most of the veterans returning to defend their crown.
“Mahaba yung naging bakasyon pero resume ang training,” said Agudia, a member of the University of the Cordilleras Lady Jaguars that won six straight crowns from 2005 to 2010.
Agudia said with the almost two months preparation, she hopes the team to be in tip top condition once the tournament starts.
The former spiker, despite an almost intact line–up said she is not discounting other schools to seek for the crown with Saint Louis University and last year’s runner–up UC.
“This will be one of the toughest BBEAL,” added Agudia who won her first crown last year as a head coach against her former team and former team mate Clarissa Tolentino, who also coaches the Lady Jaguars.
The Lady Cardinals will also seek their ninth title over all after winning the ladies crown in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2011, and 2013. (Roderick Osis)