Lyceum of the Philippines University will have an almost intact team when it opens its campaign in the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball tournament on Thursday.
Last season's best opposite spiker Jaja Tulang and 1st best middle blocker Hiromi Osada are returning for the Lady Pirates, along with former two-time Best Setter Venice Puzon and veterans Joan Doguna, Johna Dolorito, and Heart Bio.
The Intramuros-based squad has been on a roll as well in the past two seasons after reaching the finals against eventual champions De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Season 98 and reaching the semis in Season 99.
Last season, the Lady Pirates under head coach Cromwell Garcia, finished third by the end of the elimination round with six wins and three losses, then defeated Arellano University in the first round of the stepladder semis, before falling to Colegio de San Juan de Letran in a tight match in the second round.
Returning also for Season 100 are Joann De Guzman, Katrina Galedo, Angelica Guzman, Light Lopez, Stacy Lopez, Vanessa Martin, Ana Perez, and Angela Rivas.
Angelica Cruz and Ashley Muchillas, meanwhile, will join the Lady Pirates in their campaign in the centennial season.
The men's team, on the other hand, hopes to reignite its run after a dismal winless campaign last season.
The Pirates have a new look with nine new players coming, while Jhon Aquino, Chris John Louie Dumasig, Gian Carlo Edang, Jun Frank Edang, Joseph Gabisan, Phil Inting, and Kian Moral are returning for LPU.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
