Gruelling Final Four duels up in Shakey’s V-League

Games tomorrow (Semifinals)

12:45 p.m. – Ateneo vs UST

3 p.m. – NU vs FEU

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo, National U, Far Eastern U and University of Santo Tomas brace for a back-breaking weekend as they slug it out in back-to-back matches for berths in the finals in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Final Four kicks off tomorrow with the top seeded Lady Eagles taking on the No. 4 Tigresses at 12:45 p.m. and the No. 2 Lady Bulldogs facing off with the third ranked Lady Tams at 3 p.m. in matches tipped to go down-to-the-wire.

They switch times on Sunday with the decider, if necessary, set on Sept. 16. The finals, also a best-of-three affair, starts Sept. 20.

Ateneo and NU beat UST and FEU, respectively, in the group stages of the mid-season conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and presented by PLDT Home Ultera. But the top two seeded squads expect the Tigresses and the Lady Tams to be in their best form, ensuring a spirited battle for the coveted spots in the finals.

Premium will also be on stamina as the four teams try to endure the rigors of playing two straight games expected to go down-to-the-wire.

Still, Ateneo and NU remain the favorites to mix it up for the coveted crown in the league backed by Mikasa and Accel owing to their deep rosters with the Lady Eagles boasting of the league’s scoring leader Alyssa Valdez, Amy Ahomiro, Jhoanna Maraguinot, Kim Gequillana, Bea de Leon and setter Gizelle Tan.

NU, on the other hand, will rely again on Jaja Santiago, Myla Pablo, Aiko Urdas, Joy Doromal and skipper Jorelle Singh with coach Roger Gorayeb toughening up the squad by tapping many-time best setter awardee Rubie de Leon.

They, however, will miss the services of Dindin Santiago, who joined the national team competing in an Asian club tournament in Vietnam.

The Lady Tams will try to pounce on Santiago-Manabat’s absence with coach Shaq delos Santos hoping to draw the best from guest players Jovelyn Gonzaga and Honey Royce Tubino along with Bernadette Pons, Jerrili Malabanan, Toni Basas, Angela Negrito and Genevieve Casugod.

UST, which dropped a five-setter to FEU in their battle for the No. 3 spot, will bank on the power-hitting Ennajie Laure, skipper Pam Lastimosa, Marivic Meneses, Carmela Tunas and Jessey De Leon as it tries to spoil Ateneo’s sweep bid of the tournament.