Lady Archers shoot for No. 3 against Pirates

La Salle, looking good with back-to-back victories, shoots for its third straight win as it plays Lyceum today even as Ateneo hosts San Sebastian in an exciting duel in the Shakey’s V-League second conference at the Blue Eagle gym in Ateneo.

The Lady Archers, back in the hunt for a fourth championship in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza after skipping the first conference, toppled the FEU Lady Tams and the Lady Stags to seize the lead in the tough, single round elims phase among eight teams.

The Taft-based squad is slightly favored over Lyceum in their 7 p.m. encounter owing to its formidable roster made up of Jacq Alarca, Manilla Santos, Celine Hernandez, Charlene Cruz and Stephanie Mercado, who dished out a career-high 19 hits in powering La Salle past three-time NCAA champion SSC, 18-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-16, last Friday.

“I’m sure Lyceum will go all out to make up for its loss to Ateneo. I think they are still trying to adjust, especially with the new ball but we are ready,” said La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus.

But De Jesus will not be around because of a previous commitment, leaving assistant mentor Noel Orcullo to call the shots for the fancied Archers.

Ateneo, meanwhile, seeks its second win against San Sebastian, expected to bounce back strong following its loss to La Salle, making the 5 p.m. showdown truly a match to watch.

The league, organized by Sports Vision, is backed by Active White skin whitening products, Mikasa and Accel.

Meanwhile, the SSC-Ateneo game will be telecast on NBN-4 starting at 2 p.m. tomorrow with replays to be shown on both Viva Prime Channel on Destiny Cable and Makisig Channel on Sky Cable. The La Salle-Lyceum duel will be aired on Tuesday.

Playing with a rookie-laden roster, Ateneo, which lost the first conference crown to Adamson, held its own against Lyceum, bucking a first set loss to repulse the Pirates, 14-25, 25-21, 25-12, 25-21, and tie idle UST at second with one win apiece.

Guest player Michelle Laborte and alumna Charo Soriano and Misha Quimpo will provide the experience and poise for Ateneo, which hopes to draw the same intensity and fire from rookies Fille Cainglet, Angeline Gervacio at Jem Ferrer.

San Sebastian, on the other hand, will pin its hopes on Laurence Ann Latigay, Rysabelle Devanadera, Marge Pepito and Joy Benito.

“We know San Sebastian’s brand of play so it will be a question of condition and form,” said Ateneo coach Clint Malazo.

For updates and results, visit the tournament website at www.v-league.ph.