ADU, Lyceum tossers dispute last Final 4 seat

Manila, Philippines -  Adamson and Lyceum clash today for the last Final Four berth with the Lady Falcons seeking to stay on track for back-to-back championships in the Shakey’s V-League’s eighth season at The Arena in San Juan.

But the Lady Pirates are also out to remain in hunt for the elusive crown, ensuring a fierce battle for the fourth semis slot in the 4 p.m. main game.

Both teams tote 1-1 slates in Group A after Adamson fashioned out a morale-boosting 28-26, 25-10, 25-19 victory over erstwhile unbeaten Ateneo last Sunday.

“We’re still fighting. We don’t give much thought on our standing but on the sense of urgency (to win),” said Adamson mentor Dulce Pante after dealing the Lady Eagles and coach Charo Soriano their first-ever loss.

The winner in the Adamson-Lyceum tussle will join the Lady Eagles and Group B’s University of St. La Salle-Bacolod and National U in the crossover semis which fires off Thursday.

Live streaming of the games can be viewed on www.v-league.ph.

USLS tries to formalize its claim on the No. 1 seat as it plays ousted Far Eastern U in the 2 p.m. opener of a twinbill closing out the single round quarterfinal phase of the first conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

The Lady Falcons, the second best serving team and No. 3 in reception in the conference, beat the San Sebastian Lady Stags in last year’s second conference to pocket their second title but face a tougher challenge against an equally determined Lyceum side.

Former two-time MVP Nerissa Bautista and skipper Angela Benting are fancied to lead Adamson’s charge along with mainstays Pau Soriano, Angelica Vasquez, Angelica Quinlog, Lourdes Patilano and guest player Michelle Laborte.

But Lyceum, the second best serving team out to improve on its three third place finishes in the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel and Mikasa, is also going all out to oust the Falcons on a team built around guest players Mary Jean Balse and Dahlia Cruz and veterans Joy Cases, Jamie Pena, Ann Tabafunda and Marie Casanova, No. 3 in blocks and service.