SAN Sebastian and Technological Institute of the Philippines dispute the first quarterfinal berth today while Ateneo and Perpetual Help fight for survival in a pair of crucial matches in Group A of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Lady Stags and the Lady Engineers posted a win-loss-win record each to tie for second behind unbeaten National U with the winner in the 4 p.m. encounter clinching the first quarters seat in their side of the competition in the mid-season conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.
University of the Philippines (3-0), Far Eastern U (2-0) and UST (2-1) have made it to the quarters by taking the top three spots in Group B although all will aim for more wins to boost their respective records in the carryover next round.
With a 2-0 mark, the Lady Bulldogs are actually fancied to advance although the defending champions still need to hurdle either the Lady Altas or the Lady Eagles to formalize their stint in the next round.
That makes the SSC-TIP clash worth watching with the Lady Stags tipped to lean anew on the power-hitting Grethcel Soltones, setter Denice Lim, middle blockers Katherine Villegas and Joyce Sta. Rita.
Despite her role as playmaker, Lim has been supplying added firepower for the Lady Stags, norming 12 points after three games.
“She’s been playing consistently well and we will need her to take some of the pressure of Grethcel,” said San Sebastian assistant coach Clint Malazo, referring to Lim.
But the Lady Engineers had been dishing out big games behind guest player Mylene Paat, Gayle Layug, Eunice Mabayao, Eden Maturan and guest setter Relea Saet, who are all raring to steer the unfancied squad to the next round against the league’s top draws.
Equally interesting is the 6 p.m. duel between Ateneo and Perpetual Help, toting identical 0-2 cards, with the winner keeping its slim quarters hopes alive in the tournament backed by Mikasa as official ball and Accel as official outfitter.
Both matches will be aired live on ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 17 or 23 and via streaming on www.sports.abs-cbn.com, according to the organizing Sports Vision.
The young Ateneo squad, however, will need to double its effort with top hitter Jhoanna Maraguinot still out with a pulled abdominal muscle.
Games today
(Philsports, Pasig)
4 p.m. – TIP vs San Sebastian (V League)
6 p.m. – Ateneo vs Perpetual (V League)