Eagles seek V-League semis vs Cobras

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo guns for a semifinal berth in Group II as it clashes with Southwestern U even as Adamson and Univ. of St. La Salle try to stave off elimination in Group I in the quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 at the Filoil Flying V Arena today.

With a 1-0 slate they carried from their elims victory over St. Benilde, the Lady Eagles need only to beat the Lady Cobras in their 2 p.m. encounter to tow UST into the Final Four stage of the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and presented by PLDT MyDSL.

Ateneo’s Sontaya Keawbundit faces off with Piyatada Lasungnern in a duel of Thai imports although the Lady Eagles are expected to bank on their talented local crew to topple their rivals and clinch a first semis appearance in two years.

The Loyola-based squad actually dropped its last game in the elims, a five-setter to Adamson, but remains the slight favorite against the reigning CESAFI champions. Expected to provide support to Keawbundit are guest player Charo Soriano, Fille Cainglet, Angeline Gervacio, Denise Acevedo, Bea Pascual, Gretchen Ho and setter Jem Ferrer.

Backing up Piyatada on the SWU side are Rapril Aguilar, Erika Verano, Danalie Baquiro, Lori Layno and Danika Gendrauli. With a 0-1 card, the Cobras are going all out to stay in the hunt for a semis berth in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa and Mighty Bond.

Adamson, meanwhile, is raring to square off with USLS at 4 p.m. and resume its semis drive after carrying a 0-1 slate in the quarters owing to its elims setback to Lyceum.

But the Lady Falcons, who beat the Lady Eagles to capture the 2008 first conference crown, are fancied over the Lady Stingers, who also tote a 0-1 mark under the novel format.

Nene Bautista, Cha-Cha Moralde, Angela Benting, Pau Soriano and libero Lizlee Ann Gata will spearhead Adamson’s bid against the Lady Stingers, who are expected to be led by Michelle Laborte, Princess Pido, Patty Orendain and Kaye Aplasca.