SSC goes for last semis seat vs NU

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian guns for the fourth and last semifinal berth while National U tries to stay in the hunt as they clash today in the penultimate playdate of the quarterfinal round in the ninth Shakey’s V-League presented by Smart at The Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Stags ousted the Far Eastern U Tams in five last Sunday to move within a win from joining Ateneo, UST and Perpetual Help in the Final Four with a 3-2 card. But they will be facing an NU side out to derail the Recoletos-based squad and keep its slim chances alive.

Gametime is 2 p.m.

With a 1-4 slate, NU needs to sweep its last two games and hope that SSC drop its last two to force a playoff for the last semis slot.

In the 4 p.m. main game, UST and Perpetual Help, tied at 4-1, tangle for the No. 2 spot in the semis of the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Mikasa and Accel.

Today’s games will be aired on a delayed basis starting at 7 tonight on AKTV 13, according to the organizing Sports Vision. For live streaming, log on to www.v-league.ph.

Meanwhile, Ateneo primed up for the Final Four with a 7-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-20 victory over UST in a duel of unbeaten teams late Sunday, closing out its elims/quarters campaign with a league-best 7-0 card. Fille Cainglet fired 16 kills while Thai import Phee Nok Kesinee had six blocks for a 15-hit output and Dzi Gervacio added four blocks for the defending champions, who recovered from a sloppy opening set stint with their power game and gritty net defense.

Ateneo, which also drew 13 points, including nine kills and two service aces from Alyssa Valdez, finished with 13 blocks as against UST’s measly two courtesy of Thai reinforcement Kaensing Utaiwan.?UST dropped to 4-1.?Judy Caballejo scored 16 kills while Utaiwan had 16 points and Maruja Banaticla made 11 points for UST, which hopes to sweep its last two games to secure the No. 2 spot in the crossover semis.