UST, La Salle teams to beat in V-League semis

Fancied Santo Tomas and La Salle seek to rely on their power up front as the two take on Lyceum and San Sebastian, respectively, today at the start of the best-of-three semifinals in the Shakey’s V-League at the Lyceum Gym.

The Tigresses, who finished tied with the Lady Archers on top after the elimination round with identical 7-1 slates but clinched No. 1 due to a superior quotient, are the heavy favorites against the Lady Pirates in their 4 p.m. encounter.

Mary Jean Balse, Joyce Pano and Venus Bernal are expected to dominate the net with their solid kills and stonewall defense the way they did in beating their rivals in the elims of the event sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Mikasa and Accel.

The game will be aired "live" over IBC-13.

Like UST, La Salle, the reigning UAAP champion, is also expected to lean on its power hitters spearheaded by last year’s UAAP MVP Desiree Hernandez, Carissa Gotis and vastly improved Carla Llaguno when it squares off with four-peat NCAA titlist San Sebastian at 6 p.m.

For UST coach August Sta. Maria, it’s all about defense.

"Importante talaga ang depensa lalong lalo na sa net dahil malakas din naman ang Lyceum," said Sta. Maria.

Sta. Maria is particularly looking at containing, if not stopping, the power-hitting Maria Angelica Bigcas.

Bigcas, a 21-year-old Amerasian who grew up in Malvar, Batangas, is currently the league’s leading scorer despite playing with a dislocated right shoulder.

"Mas maganda sana kung hindi sumasakit ang balikat ko para tuloy-tuloy ang pag-palo ko kaya lang talagang sumasakit kaya hindi ko maibigay ’yung buong lakas ko," said Bigcas, a strong candidate for the MVP honors.

With Bigcas unable to unleash her true strength, Dahlia Cruz, Beverly Boto, Jenny Rose Garcia, Jane Kathleen Jarin and Lizel Paulo must step up and take some of the attention away from their hurting leader.

"Mahalaga talaga na maglaro ng maganda ang lahat ng players ko hindi lang isa (Bigcas), lalo pa’t UST ang kalaban namin na alam nating napakalakas na team," said Lyceum mentor Emil Lontoc.

The Rogelio Borayeg-mentored Lady Stags are also expected to give the Taft-based belles a run for their money with an equally potent cast of Angela Descalsota, Jinni Mondejar, Jeanne Espolong, Lorence Ann Latigay, Charisma Libunao and Ma. Elena Mayo.