NU spikers go for last quarterfinal slot vs Eagles

MANILA, Philippines -  National U goes for the sixth quarterfinal slot while Perpetual Help tries to force a playoff for the last berth as they take on separate rivals in the penultimate playdate of the Shakey’s V-League elims today at The Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Bulldogs, in sixth with a 2-4 slate, collide with the Ateneo Lady Eagles at 4 p.m., going all out in a bid to complete the quarterfinal cast and slam the door shut on the Altas.

Despite a woeful 1-5 card, Perpetual Help still has a chance to make it to the next round via backdoor although the Lady Altas must prevail over the St. Benilde Lady Blazers in their 2 p.m. encounter and hope that Ateneo beat NU.

The Bulldogs will be hard-pressed toppling the Eagles, who are also expected to come in full force and keep their winning run for the much-needed momentum in the carry-over quarterfinal phase of the season-ending tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

Mervic Mangui, Maricar Nepomuceno, Elaine Sagun and guest players Denise Santiago and Daphne Santiago will have their hands full against the Eagles, who boast of talented players in Gretchen Ho, Bea Pascual, Denise Acevedo, Fille Cainglet, Jamenea Ferrer and Alyssa Valdez.

Add Thai import Surasawadee Boonyuen to the mix and Ateneo will indeed be tough to beat.

The Altas, meanwhile, hope to susbude an ousted St. Benilde team going all out for its first victory in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa and Excelroof.

Manning the Altas frontline are April Sartin, Sandra delos Santos, Norie Diaz, Ronerry dela Cruz and guest players Michelle Datuin and Nica Guliman.

will match up with St. Benilde’s Giza Yumang, Rossan Fajardo, Kara Agero, Zharmain Velez, Cindy Optana and Rissa Jane Laguilles.