Wildcats eye to continue amazing run vs top flight Eagles

MANILA, Philippines -- National College of Business and Arts will have no time to rest when it faces heavy favorite Ateneo in their semifinal showdown.

The Wildcats don't mind.

Fighting off a serious challenge by La Salle, NCBA eked out a gripping 30-28, 31-29, 25-21 victory in their sudden death match Saturday night to clinch the fourth and last spot in Monday's Spikers' Turf Season 1-Collegiate Conference semis where it will face off with top seed Ateneo at The Arena in San Juan City.

"No rest for the weary, I guess. But it's okay for us because the initial goal is to make it to the semifinals," said NCBA coach Ernesto Balubar. "Rest or no rest, we'll play and give Ateneo a good fight."

Guest players Reyson Fuentes and Edwin Tolentino came through with 13 and 12 hits, respectively, while Paul John Domingo scattered 11 to power NCBA to the semis where it faces off with Ateneo, which swept its way to the semis, at 1 p.m.

The other semis match pits No. 2 National University (6-1) and No. 3 Emilio Aguinaldo (4-3), the reigning NCAA champion.

Balubar said they need slow down Ateneo's attack.

"We know Ateneo is a very talented team but we also know that we need to really play great defese for have a chance of surprising them," he said.

Ateneo has been drawing a strong performance by Marck Espejo, who is battling EAC's Howard Mojica for this conference's MVP award.

Ateneo mentor Oliver Almandro, however, said he needs the team to be more involved.

"Team effort, that will help us," said Almandro.