Tight race for V-League final looms

With the contending teams just about even in strength, depth and skills, it will be a question of execution when the Final Four of the Shakey’s V-League second conference fires off tomorrow at The Arena in San Juan City.

Three-time champions UST and La Salle are on their way for a shot at another crown but Adamson and San Sebastian are just as ready and raring to end the two teams’ domination of the event.

“Man-for-man, we can match up well with La Salle. But we have to practice and work harder to get into the final,” said San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb after steering the Lady Stags to a straight-set win over the St. Benilde Blazers at the close of the elims last Tuesday.

The victory gave SSC the No. 2 seeding in the Final Four for a clash with La Salle while UST, which nipped Ateneo in a thrilling five-setter also last Tuesday to emerge the No. 1 team, battles Adamson in the other best-of-three semis duel.

But with no team bringing a distinct advantage over the other to the semis, a tight race to the final looms, further underscoring the level playing field in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and organized by Sports Vision.

At the end of the elims, UST’s Venus Bernal emerged the top scorer with 113 points from spikes, blocks and serves with SSC’s Laurence Ann Latigay just behind with 110 and La Salle’s Jacqueline Alarca and Adamson’s Angela Benting taking the next two spots with 106 and 102 points, respectively.

Adamson’s alumna Janet Serafica came out as the best setter with an average of 17.15 running and still sets. hoping to sustain his fine form against the fancied Tigresses. The Lady Falcons were also tops in digging and reception, courtesy of Lizlee Ann Gata, and service through Janet Serafica.

Against Adamson, UST is expected to flaunt its hitting prowess with guest player Mary Jean Balse finishing No. 2 behind SSC’s Rysabelle Devanadera in spiking.

La Salle, on the other hand, is tops in blocking although the Lady Archers will be up against the league’s top hitting team in the Lady Stags, headed by Devanadera and Latigay.

For updates and results, visit the tournament website at www.v-league.ph. The league is backed by Active White skin whitening products, Mikasa and Accel. — end it//thanks