Shakey’s V-League: Lady Eagles target QF berth vs Knights

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo seeks to formalize its entry into the quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 First Conference as it goes up against Letran today (Tuesday) even as Perpetual Help debuts against Arellano University at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lady Eagles swept their first two matches against two of the league’s fancied teams, beating the six-time champion UST Tigresses in three and turning back the two-time titlist San Sebastian Lady Stags in four to pace the tough Group A.

Against the Lady Knights, the defending back-to-back champions are tipped to get past the Intramuros-based squad, which dropped a straight-set loss to La Salle-Dasmariñas last April 9.

Gametime is at 2 p.m. with Perpetual Help and Arellano clashing at 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, The NU-Adamson clash last Sunday will be shown at 1 p.m. today (Tuesday) on GMA News TV Channel 11 with today’s Ateneo-Letran duel to be aired tomorrow (Wednesday) and the Perpetual Help-Arellano faceoff on Thursday, both also at 1 p.m., according to the organizing Sports Vision.

Another victory by Ateneo will net the Lady Eagles the first quarterfinal slot with the top four teams from each group advancing to the next round after the single round elims in the league sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Mikasa and Accel.

UST, which bounced back with a three-set romp over La Salle-Dasma last Sunday, and SSC, are expected to corner the two other QF seats with the last a toss-up between the Cavite-based team and Letran.

Like Ateneo, National U lords it over the Group B field with a 2-0 mark as it repulsed Arellano in four last April 7 before besting Adamson, also in four, last Sunday. Adamson and Arellano tote identical 1-1 slates while University of San Carlos-Cebu brings up the rear with a 0-2 slate.

Perpetual Help, runner-up to SSC in last year’s Open Conference, opens its bid against Arellano, looking good with a roster that features open hitters Norie Diaz, April Sartin and middle hitters Sandra delos Santos, the MVP last conference, and Honey Tubino and guest players Joy Cases, also an open hitter, and Arriane Argarin, who is expected to set up the team’s plays with fellow setter Czarina Berba.

But the Lady Chiefs are out to score a follow-up to their thrilling five-set conquest of the USC Lady Warriors with guest players and former MVPs Mary Jean Balse and Nerissa Bautista expected to provide the firepower and experience for one of the league’s two new teams.