Lady Falcons, Bulldogs duel for Shakey’s V-League lead

Games today

2 p.m. – UST vs La Salle-Dasma

4 p.m. – NU vs Adamson

MANILA, Philippines - Adamson and National University face off today in a key Group B match-up while University of Santo Tomas tries to bounce back from an opening day setback against La Salle-Dasmariñas in the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 First Conference at The Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Falcons and the Bulldogs hurdled their opening day rivals in similar convincing fashions last week, making the 4 p.m. encounter a toss-up between two of the league’s most fancied squads for the solo lead in their side of the two-group tournament sponsored by Shakey’s.

While Adamson, a two-time champion, is expected to rely again on its experience the way it did when it swept University of San Carlos, 25-13, 25-22, 25-21, NU hopes to re-display its awesome firepower anchored on sisters and middle hitters Aleona and Jaja Santiago.

The Lady Bulldogs shook off a second-set meltdown to topple the Arellano Lady Chiefs, 25-21, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20, with the Santiagos combining for 32 hits to set the early pace in the spiking department with a 33.57 percent norm.

But the Lady Falcons are the early leaders in blocks with an average of three per set behind middle hitter Pau Soriano and utility Mylene Paat with guest player and former star Angela Benting, Marleen Corteel, Shiela Pineda and Erika Alkuino tipped to reinforce the team’s offense.

The Tigresses, meanwhile, hope to get back into the groove after absorbing a straight-set loss to the Ateneo Lady Eagles as they tangle with the Lady Patriots in a Group A clash.

However, La Salle-Dasma, backstopped by former ace Jennifer Manzano and middle hitters Mae Navidad and Iari Yongco, is out to score a follow-up to its 25-14, 25-21, 25-21 romp over Letran in the 2 p.m. opener.

Former MVP Aiza Maizo, meanwhile, hopes to settle down with the team’s play patterns after a long layoff as she tries to lead the six-time champions along with open hitters Maru Banaticla, Carmela Tunay and Pam Lastimosa and middle hitters Maika Ortiz and Loren Lantin and libero Judy Caballejo.

Meanwhile, a primer on the Shakey’s V-League will be aired starting at 9 a.m. today on GMA News TV station Channel 11, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

Regular telecasts of the country’s premier women’s volley league will be aired Mondays to Saturdays starting at 1 p.m. after the noontime newscast Balitanghali.

Games can also be viewed on live streaming on www.v-league.ph.