Ateneo, Lyceum tossers dispute lead

Manila, Philippines - Ateneo and Lyceum clash today for the solo lead in Group A while National U and University of St. La Salle-Bacolod dispute third place in Group B as action in the eighth Shakey’s V-League first conference resumes at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Eagles, seeking their first championship in the league, opened their campaign with a straight-set victory over the FEU Lady Tamaraws last week but face a tougher assignment this time in the Lady Pirates, who also launched their title drive with a 3-1 win over Southwestern U last Tuesday.

The winner in the 4 p.m. match will seize the solo lead in their division with Ateneo tipped to bank again on guest player Alysa Valdez, Thai import Kesinee Lithawat, Fille Cainglet, Gretchen Ho, Denise Acevedo and Jamenea Ferrer, who combined for 51 points the first time out.

But they would need more than that against the Pirates, who are looking good with former two-time MVP Mary Jean Balse, Joy Cases, Dahlia Cruz, Jamie Peña, Marie Casanova and Ann Tabafunda in the fold.

Focus will also be on the USLS-NU duel at 2 p.m. with both teams going all out for the victory and the boost in their respective quarterfinal round bids.

With the elims just a single round robin format, every win counts with the top four teams in each group advancing to the next round of the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and organized by Sports Vision.

Adamson and Perpetual Help pace Group B with 1-0 slates.

NU bounced back from a straight-set loss to Perpetual Help with a 3-1 victory over St. Benilde with guest players Denise Santiago, Cherry Vivas and Monique Tiangco along with mainstays Maricar Nepomuceno and Rialen Sante expected to lead the Lady Bulldogs’ attack against their Bacolod-based rivals.

The Lady Stingers, behind Patty Orendain, Kay Aplasca, Charmaine Moralde, Floradele Dolar and American reinforcement Jayde Hair, scrambled past the Blazers in five sets but dropped a 0-3 setback to the Lady Falcons last Thursday.

Games can be viewed on live streaming at www.v-league.ph.