Tigresses, Falcons begin title match

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas sets out as the slight favorite while Adamson tries to cap an impressive campaign as they clash in the opener of the Shakey’s V-League Season 6 second conference finals today at The Arena in San Juan.

The Tigresses swept the Lady Falcons in their two faceoffs, fashioning out identical 3-1 victories in the elims and the quarters before dominating the FEU Lady Tams, 2-0, in the Final Four to advance to their eighth finals appearance in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

Despite its setbacks to the first conference champion, Adamson proved it remained a worthy title contender, beating FEU and Ateneo-OraCare in the battle for No. 3 spot in the semis then swept reigning five-time NCAA champion San Sebastian to arrange a showdown for the crown with the most fancied team in the league.

Gametime is set at 4 p.m. after the 2 p.m. duel for third between SSC and FEU. Games can be viewed live on webcast on www.v-league.ph, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

UST coach Cesael delos Santos is expected to rely on his awesome threesome of Aiza Maizo, Angeli Tabaquero and rookie Maru Banaticla and on a gritty bunch of players ready to step up in offense and defense in pursuit of their fifth championship in the league backed by Mikasa, Accel, Mighty Bond and OraCare

The Falcons will surely come into the game fully adjusted to the Tigresses’ power game but they must also find ways to solve UST’s solid net defense.

Adamson is also expected to play with a lot of confidence following its romp over SSC with Angela Benting, the current scoring leader with a 16-hit norm and the second best server, tipped to lead the charge.

The Lady Falcons, seeking their second title after beating the Eagles for the first conference crown in 2008, also boasts of the league’s top blocker in Paulina Soriano, who also ranked second to St. Benilde’s Giza Yumang in spikes after the semis.

But with the two teams’ main players likely to neutralize themselves, the series could well be decided beyond spikes, quick plays or service but on floor defense or court coverage.

Adamson appears to be playing more cohesively in the last few games after a shaky campaign in the elims, thus producing superb set plays for their key hitters.

UST should use its talent to the hilt if it wants to seize control early and will have to rely on its experience in case the matches go to down-to-the-wire finishes.

That makes the championship worth watching.