Shakey’s V-League Finals: Too close to call

MANILA, Philippines - The third and final game of the thrilling Shakey’s V-League Season 10 First Conference Finals is definitely a toss-up between Ateneo and National University.

Not even the coaches of the two teams have an idea on what to expect when Game 3 is played Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

“It’s hard to predict. It’s the championship match so it will be close,” said Ateneo’s Roger Gorayeb in yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

The Lady Eagles took the series opener in straight sets and were poised to clinch their third straight Shakey’s V-League crown last Sunday at the MOA Arena.

But the Lady Bulldogs played like their lives were depended on it, attacking their opponents at will and tying the series in similar straight-set fashion.

Gorayeb said it’s the first time in his coaching career that the first two games of a title series were won in straight sets.

“I haven’t experienced it before that what happened in the first game happened in the second game. Still, the games were close,” he said.

It’s too close to call.

“Pukpukan na ito,” Gorayeb added as three of his players, Alyssa Valdez, Fille Cainglet and Jem Ferrer, sat to his right, all looking forward to the winner-take-all match.

Also gracing the forum were NU coach Edjet Mabbayad who were joined by players Jen Reyes, Myla Pablo and Aiko Urdas. V-League commissioner Tony Liao was also present. 

Like their counterparts from Ateneo, the members of the taller NU squad said they expect the last game of the conference is anybody’s ballgame.

“This is the last game. There is no Game Four,” said Mabbayad, who didn’t give up on his players after they were swept in the series opener at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

“I just told them to stay focused and not get pressured and intimidated,” he said two days after the Lady Bulldogs equalized.

The deciding match is set at 3 p.m. It will be aired live on GMA News TV Channel 11. 

“Both teams will give their best on Sunday and all the players will give their best,” added the NU coach, who will continue to rely on Santiago sisters Dindin and Jaja.

The Santiagos are two of the tallest players in the league with Dindin standing 6’2” and Jaja at 6’4”.

Cainglet and Ferrer are on their last year for Ateneo. They said there’s nothing sweeter than going out as champions.

“It’s all-or-nothing. This is the third game. Every team wants to win and that’s always the goal. This is my last year so it will mean a lot if we win,” said Cainglet.

Gorayeb said the third game will definitely be close.

“It will either be a very close three sets or a very close five sets. This is the championship,” he said.