UST guns for fifth win in row vs Lyceum

One streak will be snapped when unbeaten defending champion University of Santo Tomas and resurgent Lyceum clash today even as Far Eastern U and San Sebastian collide in a duel of struggling teams in the Shakey’s V-League second conference at the Rizal Coliseum.

Although the UST Tigresses are looking good and awesome with their stirring four-game streak, including an emphatic straight-set victory over the Lady Tams last Thursday, the Lady Pirates have regained their bearing and form after dropping their first two games by posting back-to-back victories.

That makes the 1 p.m. encounter doubly interesting with the Muralla-based spikers expected to come out strong and spring a surprise against the most fancied team in the fold.

UST coach August Sta. Maria knows fully well of the challenge ahead.

"Malakas din ang team na ito, magaling din dumepensa," said Sta. Maria, who drew a combined 31 hits from Kate Co Yu Kang, Roxanne Pimentel and Mary Jean Balse in their victory over FEU that lasted just a little more than an hour.

The power-hitting troika is again expected to lead the UST in the team’s quest for a fifth straight victory heading into the holiday break of this event sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Dunkin’ Donuts, HBC Home of Beauty Exclusives, Smart and PLDT with Mikasa and Accel as official volleyball and outfitter, respectively.

In the other game, FEU hopes to improve its 1-4 (win-loss) slate as it plays hard-luck San Sebastian College in the 3 p.m. encounter. The Lady Stags are winless in four games.

The organizing Sports Vision Management Group Inc. said the UST-Lyceum game will be telecast on IBC-13 starting at 3 p.m. while the FEU-SSC encounter will be aired tomorrow, also at 3 p.m.

For its part, Lyceum hopes to sustain its momentum, played with more fire and draw the best from last conference’s best attacker Ma. Angelica Bigcas.

Bigcas, an Amerasian and easily one of the best in the league today, sustained a right rotator cuff injury and may not be in tip-top shape. But she remains a threat and could still hit solid shots selectively and play defense needed for a Lyceum upset.

"Hopefully, we could play them (UST) well," said Lyceum mentor Emil Lontoc, who led the UST men’s squads to numerous UAAP titles in the 90s and early this decade.

Other Lady Pirates expected to step up are Michelle Laborte and Cristina Salak.