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Friday, March 29, 2024

NU, Ateneo start V-League title showdown

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NATIONAL University hopes to use its edge in manpower and experience while Ateneo will lean on its big fighting heart and hustle as they open their best-of-three series for the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig today.

With a talented core of Jaja Santiago, Jorelle Singh, Aiko Urdas, rising star Jasmine Nabor and rookie Fil-Japanese sensation Risa Sato, the Lady Bulldogs set out for their 6 p.m. clash the slight favorites with assistant coach Edjet Mabbayad expected to exploit their edge against an over-achieving Ateneo side.

The Lady Eagles did deal the Lady Bulldogs’ lone setback in the group stages, a 25-15, 27-25, 25-17 shocker that kept the former in the quarters race, which they also hurdled then stunned the San Sebastian Lady Stags in another KO match to barge into the semis of the mid-season conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

Ateneo capped its amazing run with a 2-0 sweep of the top seeded Far Eastern U side in the Final Four to earn a chance for a payback against NU, which swept them in the decider in last year’s finals of the tournament backed by Mikasa as official ball and Accel as official outfitter.

“It was a learning experience for us,” said Mabbayad, referring to their setback to the Lady Eagles. “We’re looking forward to playing them again.”

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The Lady Eagles will be more than ready to face off with the Lady Bulldogs again, their confidence boosted by a string of victories that lined them up for another crack at the championship.

“It’s all about playing with heart,” said Ateneo skipper Michelle Morente after completing their surprise sweep of FEU.

With Kim Gequillana, Ana Gopico, Bea de Leon, Pauline Gaston, Julia Morado and Juliane Samonte dishing out one big game after another, the Lady Eagles could be in for a grand finish sans their former star Alyssa Valdez.

Like Ateneo, NU also disposed of UP in two in the Final Four, making the title series’ opener worth watching.

Game Two is set on Wednesday while a deciding Game Three, if necessary, will be played on Saturday, all at Philsports.

The match will also be aired live on ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 23 and S + A HD 166 although the two games can be viewed live via streaming on sports.abs-cbn.com/livestream/vleague, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

Games today

10 a.m. – La Salle vs UST (ST for 3rd)

12 noon – Ateneo vs NU (ST finals)

4 p.m. – UP vs FEU (SVL for 3rd)

6 p.m. – Ateneo vs NU (V League Finals)

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