THE Shakey’s V-League elimination rounds—in both men’s and women’s competition—are almost complete and the cream has risen to the top with the likely title contenders all but determined going to the quarterfinal playoffs.
The women’s competition Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Collegiate Conference has shaped up to be a four-cornered fight with defending champion Far Eastern University as well as challengers Ateneo, National University and Arellano looking capable of winning the title.
The men’s Spikers’ Turf Season 1-Collegiate Conference on the other hand has found UAAP rivals Ateneo and La Salle leading the pack and looking like championship contenders. Expected to challenge them are National Collegiate Athletic Association champions Emilio Aguinaldo College and National University.
FEU already has a capable team with stars Geneve Casugod and Remy Palma but add reinforcements in national players Jovelyn Gonzaga and NCAA all-star Honey Royce Tubino and you have a formidable squad capable of winning it all again.
FEU also has an attentive coach in Shaq delos Santos who addressed his team’s perceived weaknesses at service and reception. The result was a complete and utter domination of University of the Philippines in their past game to preserve FEU’s unbeaten record.
Reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion Ateneo de Manila University is also unbeaten.
The Lady Eagles got a scare from College of Saint Benilde before Alyssa Valdez completely took over the game. Valdez exploded 26 spike points, and 32 overall, to power her team past Benilde.
The Lady Eagles wind up their elimination round schedule against lightweight Technological Institute of the Philippines and will probably advance to the quarterfinals without a loss.
UAAP runner-up National University Lady Bulldogs are aching to gain revenge on Ateneo with a victory here at Shakey’s.
They are the Shakey’s V-League’s number spiking team. No surprise there especially if you have attackers like Jaja Santiago and Jorelle Singh. Add Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Myla Pablo, who will return after a stint with the national team, and you get the league’s most fearsome frontline.
The Arellano University Lady Chiefs were tipped to be among the title contenders but they have not played to their potential. The Lady Chiefs seem to play to the level of their competition. They nearly lost a set to University of Batangas before getting a lift from CJ Rosario and Menchie Tubiera who powered their team to victory.
The Lady Chiefs better shape up because at this stage every mistake could cost them big.
The league could be looking at a potential box office blockbuster production over at the men’s competition Spikers’ Turf Season 1-Collegiate Conference.
Leading the teams are Ateneo De Manila and De La Salle University. Expect a blockbuster box office and a spike in ratings if these two teams bring their storied rivalry to league competition. The two squads were the first to advance to the quarterfinals.
The Green Archers, who joined the league despite the absence of their counterpart ladies team, will be led by team captain Raymark Woo and John Arjay Onia
NCAA champion Emilio Aguinaldo will lean on high scoring attackers in the power-hitting Eddimar Kasim and Aldin Bin. The Generals however will need to get solid contributions from their other players notably Aidam Adam, Wilbert Sapida, Paul Castro and Daniel Benitez if they hope to compete against powerhouses Ateneo and La Salle.