Focus will be on first conference MVP Nene Bautista as Adamson tests University of Santo Tomas’ mettle in the featured encounter in the Shakey’s V-League second conference at The Arena in San Juan today.
Bautista failed to see action in Adamson’s first two games as she backstopped the national team’s campaign in the recent Asian Beach Games in Indonesia. But with the power-hitting Lady Falcon back in harness, the San Marcelino-based tossers are expected to provide the Tigresses a tough challenge in the latter’s bid for a second straight win in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.
The Lady Falcons split their first two games without Bautista, losing a thrilling five-setter to the FEU Lady Tams in the opening game last Oct. 19 but bouncing back with a straight-set win over the St. Benilde Blazers the next playdate.
Gametime is at 4 p.m. with UST expected to bank on Aiza Mazo, Mary Jean Balse and Venus Bernal as it tries to stay within striking distance of unbeaten La Salle, a cinch to take the first semifinal berth with four straight wins in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
UST coach Cesael Delos Santos said they hope to come up with key adjustments. against Adamson, which will also pin its hopes on the likes of Jill Gustilo, Rissa Jane Laguilles, Janet Serafica, Angela Benting and Michelle Segodine.
FEU, the reigning UAAP champion, takes on winless Saint Benilde in the 2 p.m. opener, eyeing a second win in three games following a four-set loss to the rampaging Lady Archers last Oct 21.
The four teams seeing action today are coming off their respective campaigns in the recent Philippine University Games in Dumaguete City.
“We’ll give them a good fight despite injuries to our two players, said UST coach Shaq delos Santos, referring to Vida Gutierrez and rookie Maika Ortiz, who sustained injuries while playing in the Unigames.
For updates and results, visit the tournament website at www.v-league.ph. The league, sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and organized by Sports Vision, is backed by Active White skin whitening products, Mikasa and Accel.
Meanwhile, the FEU-St. Benilde game will be telecast on NBN-4 starting at 2 p.m. on Monday with replays to be shown on both Viva Prime Channel on Destiny Cable and Makisig Channel on Sky Cable. The UST-Adamson duel will be aired on Thursday.