SSC, Ateneo try to complete Final 4 cast

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian and Ateneo go for victories against Maynilad and Air Force, respectively, to complete the Final Four cast in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference at close of the quarterfinal round at The Arena in San Juan today.

But a pair of reversals will force a four-way tie for the last two semis berths among Navy (2-3), Ateneo (2-2), Air Force (1-3) and Maynilad (1-3), necessitating two playoff matches.

Maynilad kept its slim hopes alive by surprising first semifinalist Army in four sets last Sunday with the Water Dragons all-pumped up to duplicate the feat against the other semifinalist SSC.

Gametime is at 2 p.m.

Air Force, on the other hand, tries to re-assert its mastery over Ateneo, which it beat in four in the elims last Aug. 7 although the Airwomen have slowed down since losing top hitter Cherry Rose Macatangay to injury midway in the qualifier.

Their four-set loss to Navy last Sunday put the Aiza Maizo-led team to the brink although the former MVP is expected to dish out her best against Ateneo along with Jennifer Manzano, Liza Deramos, Wendy Semana, Amelia Guanco and Irish Patrona.

But the Lady Eagles are raring to get back at Airwomen in their 4 p.m. game and formalize their stint in the next round of the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Accel, Mikasa and Maynilad Water.

The first conference champions, who have recovered from a long skid in the elims by splitting their first four matches in the quarters, toppled the Lady Sailors in four last Thursday to prime themselves up against the Airwomen for the all-important win.

Fille Cainglet and Alyssa Valdez will again spearhead Ateneo’s attack with help to come from Gretchen Ho, Dzi Gervacio, Aerieal Patnongon and Jamenea Ferrer.

SSC, meanwhile, hopes to bounce back from its four-set loss to archrival Army last Sept. 1 on a team built around the league’s leading scorer and spiker American Lauren Ford, Thai Jang Baulee, Joy Benito, Rubie de Leon, Jill Gustilo and Dafna Robiños.

Maynilad, on the other hand, goes all out behind top hitter Joy Cases and Syvie Artates, who came through with eight blocks against Army, Nica Guliman, Mervic Mangui, Ma. Josephine Cafranca, Beverly Boto, Shiela Jumaquio, Melissa Mirasol, setter Charisse Ancheta, liberos Joanne Ayson and Marie dela Peña and guest player April Hingpit.

Meanwhile, the Navy-Air Force duel last Sunday will be aired today on NBN 4 starting at 2 p.m. and on GMA-7’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA LifeTV and GMA News TV.

 according to the organizing Sports Vision.