UST fancied in Shakey's V-League

MANILA, Philippines - Out to extend its supremacy in the Shakey’s V-League, University of Santo Tomas has kept the core of its last year’s champion team, dropping just three players while re-enlisting a former MVP to underscore its all-out bid for win No. 6 in the country’s premier women’s volley league firing off next month at The Arena in San Juan.

Mary Jean Balse, a former MVP who helped power UST to its first three titles before the team took a leave of absence in the first conference of the 2008 season, is back in the fold, raring to team up with reigning MVP Aiza Maizo and mainstays Rhea Dimaculangan, Ange Tabaquero, Maru Banaticla and Maika Ortiz as they shoot for a third straight title victory and sixth overall.

Also keeping their spots in the team are Judy Caballero, Hanna Mance and Jane Gonzales, members of the squad that swept Adamson in the best-of-three finals last December to complete the Tigresses sweep of last year’s twin titles.

“The team is doing okay although we couldn’t train with a complete lineup since most are busy with their final exams this week,” said UST coach Shaq delos Santos in Filipino.

Although most of the teams competing in the seventh season of the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza, will be fielding in practically intact rosters, UST remains the top pick this early, owing to its talented starters and a bench ready to step up at any given time.

“I can’t tell which team is strong but for sure all teams have prepared hard for the tournament,” said delos Santos, who will be without Michelle del Rosario and Jen Fortuno and former reinforcement Roxanne Pimentel this conference.

The España-based squad, boasting of past, present and future stars, is also expected to name its other guest player in the next few days.