Lady Falcons start bid vs Stingers

MANILA, Philippines - Adamson kicks off its drive for a second straight championship in the Shakey’s V-League as it plays University of St. La Salle-Bacolod in the featured game of an explosive triple-bill at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City today.

The Lady Falcons tripped the San Sebastian Lady Stags in the finals of last year’s second conference with the San Marcelino-based squad raring to start its campaign for back-to-back crowns and third overall on a winning note.

But they will be facing a team that is coming off an inspiring five-set victory over St. Benilde last Tuesday, making their 4 p.m. encounter a match to watch.

“For as long as they play with the same intensity and determination, I think we have a good chance to win again,” said Adamson coach Dulce Pante in Filipino.

Guest player and former MVP Nene Bautista will again anchor Adamson’s bid along with Angela Benting, Pau Soriano, Sheila Pineda, Jampong Quinlog, Des Patilano and libero Angelica Vazquez.

The Lady Stingers, on the other hand, try to dish out the form they showed in outlasting the Lady Blazers, 25-21, 25-27, 18-25, 25-17, 15-11, as USLS joined University of Perpetual Help in the early lead in Group A.

Patty Orendain, who unloaded 22 hits against St. Benilde, hopes to draw solid backup from American reinforcement Jayde Hair, and local mainstays Cha-Cha Moralde, Kay Aplasca and April Hingpit as they try to make it two win in a row in the early going of the first conference of the eighth season of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

For live streaming of the games, log on to www.v-league.ph

Meanwhile, St. Benilde goes for its first win in a long while as it collides with National U in the 2 p.m. opener while Far Eastern U and Southwestern U mix it up at 6 p.m.

The Lady Bulldogs, led by guest players Cherry Vivas, Dindin Santiago and Monique Tiangco, fell short of expectations as they absorbed an 18-25, 17-25, 17-25 beating from the Lady Altas in Sunday’s inaugurals of the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel as official outfitter and Mikasa as official ball.

Focus will also be on the FEU-SWU clash as both teams likewise try to bounce back from their respective opening game setbacks with the Lady Tams bowing to the Ateneo Lady Eagles, 17-25, 22-25, 20-25, and the Lady Cobras dropping a 25-21, 25-27, 16-25, 15-25 decision to the Lady Pirates.