Adamson cautious in title chase versus SSC

MANILA, Philippines - Despite its two victories over San Sebastian-Excelroof this conference, Adamson remains wary of its chances heading into Game One of the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 second conference finals tomorrow.

For one, the Lady Falcons have beaten the fancied Lady Stags only in a pair of five setters that could’ve gone either way although the former have shown tremendous poise and character in those two cliffhangers to prevail.

Their sweep of the quarters and their Final Four duel with the Lyceum Lady Pirates also augured well for the Falcons’ bid for a second crown in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza. But they also expect an entirely different SSC side right in the opener of the best-of-three finals at The Arena in San Juan.

Gametime is set at 4 p.m.

Lyceum and FEU clash at 2 p.m. in the opener of their own best-of-three series.

“I have confidence and trust in my players,” said Adamson coach Dulce Pante, who has whipped the team into a championship-caliber squad after finishing fifth in this year’s first conference. “But whatever God would give us, we’ll be happy.”

Former MVP Nerissa Bautista, Angela Benting, Pau Soriano and Michelle Laborte have been giving their all along with Lourdes Patilano, Gail Martin and libero Angelica Vasquez and the rest of the team from the elims up to this stage. And they are expected to raise the level of their game in the title series in pursuit of another crown.

Adamson first and last won a championship in Season 5 first conference in 2008, outsteadying Ateneo in the finals, while finishing second to UST in Season 6 second conference in 2009.

While the upcoming series is tipped to be a power duel, the Lady Falcons will try to lean on their net defense where they are tops in the league. They are also the leading team in digs and reception, way ahead of the Stags, who are No. 6 in blocks, No. 5 in the non-scoring department (digs) and No. 2 in reception.

But the Recoletos-based squad, also chasing their second crown in the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa and Excelroof, emerged No. 1 in spikes with Thai import Jeng Bualee and Suzanne Roces taking the Nos. 2 and 3 spots behind Lyceum’s Mary Jean Balse in the individual ranking.