USJ-R fights for survival vs Lyceum

MANILA, Philippines - University of San Jose-Recoletos goes all-out against Lyceum today, needing no less than a victory to force a playoff for the last quarterfinal berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Winless in three games, the Lady Jaguars try to avoid elimination as they battle the Lady Pirates in the 2 p.m. opener of a tripleheader at the close of the single round elimination phase of the tournament.

USJ-R coach Grace Antigue hopes to draw out the best from guest players Michiko Castaneda and Michelle Simbajon and mainstays Rachel Singson, Carla Dubduban, Abigail Praca and Joy Bonita in what could be their final game in the first conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and presented by PLDT MyDSL.

But the Pirates are also out to redeem themselves from their three-set loss to the Ateneo Lady Eagles last Tuesday that dropped them to second in a tie with Adamson in Group B.

Lyceum Thai Import Pornthip Santrong will also try to bounce back from her below-par performance in their last game where she hit only 10 points after averaging 25 points in their first two games.

Only the last Group B slot in the quarters is up for grabs with St. Benilde, with a 1-3, having the inside track after USJ-R took one loss after the other.

University of St. La Salle and Southwestern, meanwhile, clash in the 4 p.m. match as they dispute the No. 3 spot in Group A with identical 1-2 slates.