Lady Stags seek QF playoff vs Altas

MANILA, Philippines -  Pacesetting San Sebastian College guns for its fourth straight victory and at least a playoff for the last quarterfinal berth as it squares off with University of Perpetual Help today even as Adamson seeks solo second place aginst Far Eastern U in the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 second conference at The Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Stags report to the court at 2 p.m., seeking to add the Lady Altas (1-2) to their victims list, which so far includes Lyceum, St. Benilde and just last Thursday, erstwhile co-leader Ateneo.

Although installed as favorite, the unbeaten SSC side can’t afford to be complacent against UPH, according to coach Roger Gorayeb.

“Every team wants to beat us in the same way we want to beat them. So we have to always play high-level,” said Gorayeb, who will lean on Thai reinforcement Jaroensri Bualee, guest player Suzanne Roces and regulars Melissa Mirasol and Joy Benito.

“Perpetual is a dangerous opponent, in fact they already beat Adamson, so we can’t relax against them,” he added.

Second-running Adamson (2-1), meanwhile, eyes its third straight win in four games in the season-ending tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza at 6 p.m. against Far Eastern U (1-2).

“We need to play with a lot more spunk and emotion if we want to be a real contender,” said Adamson mentor Minerva Pante, whose crew had to go through the wringer before prevailing over Lyceum, 25-20, 22-25, 21-25, 25-16, 15-7, Thursday.

Guest players Nerissa Bautista and Michelle Laborte and mainstays Angela Benting and Paulina Soriano are expected to lead Adamson’s charge against an FEU side bannered by noted hitters Rachel Anne Daquis and Michelle Carolino.

Lyceum (1-2) and winless St. Benilde (0-3) aim to revive their respective bids when they collide at 2 p.m.