SSC, UST eye V-League crown today

MANILA, Philippines - It will be a question of execution and determination as San Sebastian College and University of Santo Tomas clash in sudden death for the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 title at The Arena in San Juan today.

The Lady Stags have the momentum following their cliffhanger of a win, 21-25, 25-16, 15-25, 25-20, 15-13, in Tuesday’s Game Two, which set up this rubber match for the first conference crown starting at 4 p.m.

But the Tigresses, who took the opener of the best-of-three series, 25-21, 22-25, 25-20, 25-15, last Sunday, remain confident of their chances despite losing Game Two and two of their stalwarts to injuries.

“We still have a good chance tomorrow (Thursday) provided they all perform well,” said Shaq de los Santos, back at the UST helm after a weeklong absence.

Sure, in a do-or-die contest, everybody is expected to dish out her best although it will all boil down to execution, particularly in a down-to-the-wire finish like the last time out.

The Stags showed championship poise in thwarting the Tigresses’ sweep bid in Game Two with Thai import Jeng Bualee taking over in the fifth before MVP Suzanne Roces and most improved player Joy Benito stepped up at endgame.

For Bualee, this is the best chance to win a crown in the league sponsored Shakey’s Pizza and presented by PLDT MyDSL after three failed bids since 2006.

“She (Bualee) really wanted to win. We needed to win the last time out and they poured it all out,” said SSC coach Roger Gorayeb.

“But like in Game 2, I think breaks will decide the game,” he added.

The Tigresses will also try to flaunt their experience as they try to keep their winning streak in the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa and Mighty Bond.

UST has won the league’s last two conferences, beating SSC in this conference last year before dominating Adamson last December.

But the Tigresses will be without injured open spikers Angeli Tabaquero and Maru Banaticla, giving the Lady Stags the advantage in personnel that includes Elaine Cruz, Dafna Robiños, Jennelyn Belen and Margarita Pepito.

Tabaquero sustained a knee injury in the series opener while Banaticla suffered an ankle injury before Game Two.

“Maru (Banaticla) remains a doubtful starter in Game 3,” said delos Santos.

But Aiza Maizo will be out there to lead UST along with guest players Mary Jean Balse and Michelle Carolino, Maika Ortiz, Jude Ann Caballejo, Rhea Dimaculangan and Jessica Curato.

“I hope Joy (Benito) will make some adjustments defending the left-spiking Maizo,” said Gorayeb, seeking to give SSC a second crown since he steered the team to victory, against UST, in the 2008 second conference final.