Tigresses seek playoff berth versus Eagles

MANILA, Philippines - Unbeaten in three games, University of Santo Tomas tries to extend its win run and assure itself of a playoff for a quarterfinal seat as it takes on a struggling Ateneo-OraCare side in the sixth Shakey’s V-League at The Arena in San Juan today.

The Tigresses hurdled two of the league’s top teams to open their campaign for a fourth championship, beating the San Sebastian Lady Stags and the Adamson Lady Falcons then outclassing newcomer UP Maroons to lead the eight-team field in the single round-robin elims phase.

But against the Lady Eagles, the España-based squad will be facing a team needing a victory to get back on track after an uninspiring loss-win-loss start in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and organized by Sports Vision.

Gametime is at 6 p.m.

With a 1-2 mark, Ateneo-OraCare is in a tie for fifth with St. Benilde, hard-pressed to score a victory and remain in the hunt for one of the four quarterfinal berths heading into the last two weeks of the short elims phase.

Far Eastern U, impressive with back-to-back victories in the early goings of the tournament backed by Accel, Mikasa and OraCare, also tries to stay within striking distance of UST as it shoots for its third straight win against St. Benilde in the 4 p.m. opener.

For details, log on to www.v-league.ph.

Ateneo’s Keawbundit Sontaya tries to redisplay the form she showed against San Sebastian where she matched fellow Thai import Bualee Jaroensri’s 23-point performance even as she hopes to get the best from the locals, including alumna Charo Soriano, Jamenea Ferrer and Fille Cainglet.

But they will have to double their effort to stop the Tigresses, who are expected to be led again by Mary Jean Balse, Abigail Co, Judy Ann Caballejo, Maika Ortiz and Rhea Dimaculangan.

To keep its streak going, FEU, coming off a tough four-set win over Lyceum last week, must also draw solid games from Cherry Vivas, Mayeth Carolino, Irish Morada and Rachel Daquis and neutralize CSB’s scorers Maureen Penetrante, Cindy Velasquez and Giza Yumang and setter Ren Agero.