UP spikers vs FEU in Shakey's V-League debut

MANILA, Philippines - University of the Philippines tries to make an impact right on its first stint in the Shakey’s V-League as it plays a fancied Far Eastern U side today even as Ateneo-OraCare seeks to bounce back from an opening day setback as it tangles with Lyceum at the Filoil Flying-V Arena in San Juan City.

Guest players Rubie de Leon and Danielle Castaneda hope to inspire and rally the team that includes Jed Montero, Cathy Barcelon, Southlyn Ramos, Pau Genido and Amanda Isada as they clash with the Lady Tams in the 2 p.m. opener.

“We hope to raise the level of our game in this tournament,” said UP coach Ron Dulay.

The Lady Tams are coming off a runner-up finish to La Salle in the last UAAP season and are expected to lean on the services of guest players Tina Salak and Mayette Carolino and mainstays Rachel Daquis, Shaira Gonzalez, Maica Morada, Cherry Vivas and Rose Ann Taganas in a bid to get past the UP side.

The Lady Eagles, on the other hand, take on the Lady Pirates in the 4 p.m. main game, hoping to pull off a win and avert going 0-2 down in the single round robin phase of the league’s first conference sponsored by Shakey’s V-League.

Ateneo-OraCare dropped a straight-set loss to defending champion Adamson in Sunday’s opener despite fielding in a Thai import in Sontaya Keawbundit, who hopes to dish out a more solid game against the Lady Pirates.

Keawbundit scored 12 hits and emerged Ateneo-OraCare’s top scorer while Charo Soriano came away with 10 points but they proved not enough against the Lady Falcons, who drew solid games from Nerissa Bautista, Angela Benting and Rissa Jane Laguilles to fashion out a 25-20, 25-19, 25-18 and open their title retention campaign on a high note.

Lyceum, for its part, hopes to draw solid games from Dalhia Cruz and Joy Cases along with Syvie Artates, Precious Dagdag, Christina Casanova and Carmela Morales as the Pirates go all out to improve their sixth place finish in the last conference of the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel and Mikasa.