Tigresses seek last semis berth vs Lady Altas

Games today

2 p.m. – La Salle-Dasma vs Arellano

4 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs UST

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas goes all-out against back-to-the-wall Perpetual Help today, shooting for a victory and the last Final Four berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 at The Arena in San Juan.

The Tigresses set out for the crucial 4 p.m. contest with a 2-0 card, hoping to match the National U Lady Bulldogs’ sweep of Group I and avoid the specter of going through a playoff with the Lady Altas for the last semis seat in the First Conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

With a 1-1 slate, Perpetual, which stayed in the hunt with a four-set win over ousted San Sebastian last Tuesday, needs to win against UST to force a playoff.

A Perpetual victory will forge a three-way tie for first at 2-1 among Adamson, UST and the Las Piñas-based squad. But the Lady Falcons enjoy a superior rank points with +7 with UST toting a +5 and Perpetual +3.

If Perpetual wins in 3 or 4 sets, the Lady Altas will get only a +3 rank points, giving the third semis slot to Adamson outright and paving the way for the UST-Perpetual clash for the last Final Four berth in the tournament backed by Mikasa and Accel.

But the Tigresses, for sure, will go flat out to nail the all-important win.

UST survived Adamson’s fierce challenge to eke out a thrilling five-set victory last Sunday, leaning on Pam Lastimosa and Ingrid Reyes in the clutch. Coach Odjie Mamon also hopes to draw the best from his mainstays, including Aiza Maizo, Maika Ortiz, Carmela Tunay, Jessey de Leon and setter Rhea Dimaculangan.

But the Lady Altas try to sustain the momentum of their big victory over the Lady Stags with Honey Rose Tubino, Joy Cases, Norie Diaz, April Sartin, Sandra delos Santos and setter Arriane Argarin expected to deliver the goods again.

Meanwhile, the National U-La Salle-Dasmariñas clash last Tuesday will be shown beginning at 1 p.m. today on GMA News TV Channel 11, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

La Salle-Dasmariñas and Arellano duel in a non-bearing game at 2 p.m.