Lady Eagles, Bulldogs dispute finals berth

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo and National University clash today in a rubber match for the other finals berth with the Lady Eagles eyeing a repeat over the Bulldogs for a title showdown with the Adamson Lady Falcons in the Shakey’s V-League at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Eagles fashioned out an emphatic 25-14, 25-18, 25-20 victory over the Bulldogs last Tuesday, forcing a sudden death in their best-of-three Final Four playoff after NU took the opener via forfeiture.

Ateneo actually took the series opener, 25-27, 25-14, 25-10, 25-19, but the league, sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and organized by Sports Vision, forfeited the result after it found out the Eagles had fielded in a libero in reserve Bea Tan as a regular player.

Under the FIVB regulations, libero players registered cannot revert back as a regular player.

Gametime is set at 4 p.m.

“I feel they (Lady Eagles) are playing at a different level but we just have to keep our mindset and remain positive,” said Ateneo coach Charo Soriano, seeking to deliver the first crown to the school on her rookie year.

Soriano feels her wards are highly motivated to win the series although she remains wary of the Bulldogs, who have nothing to lose but everything to gain in the playoff.

“Reaching the Final Four is already a big accomplishment for us,” said NU mentor Francis Vicente. “If we make it all the way to the finals will be a big bonus.”

He, however, stressed the need for hard work, urging his players to play strong and with determination.

“If they would only work hard and play with determination, we’ll have a chance (against Ateneo),” said Vicente.

Adamson, winner of last year’s second conference, took the first finals seat with a sweep over University of St. La Salle-Bacolod.

Guest player Denise Santiago is again expected to lead the Bulldogs bid although Cherry Mae Vivas, the team’s other reinforcement, must step up after struggling for just five points last Tuesday.

Vicente will also pin his hopes on Monique Tiangco, Rialen Sante, Maricar Nepomuceno and setter Precious May Salibad as they try to foil the Eagles’ drive for another shot at the crown in the league backed by Accel and Mikasa.

Thai ace Kesinee Lithawat and fellow guest player Alyssa Valdez will be the players to watch for Ateneo, which will also lean on the likes of Aerieal Patnongon, Gretchen Ho, Jessica Bagatsng, Jamenea Ferrer and Fille Cainglet, who shone the last time out with 12 hits.

Thai reinforcement Kesinee Lithawat made 20 hits, including 18 kills, while Fille Cainglet stepped up to fire 11 attacks for a 12-point output as the Eagles dominated the 65-minute romp with their power game.

The Loyola-based squad, chasing its first crown, combined for 43 kills against NU’s 29 although the Lady Bulldogs had more blocks, 7-3.

Denise Santiago came up with four blocks and finished with 13 hits while Monique Tiangco added 10 points for the Bulldogs.