Lady Bulldogs, Tams open Shakey’s V-L title series

MANILA, Philippines - National U boasts of an awesome firepower. Far Eastern U hopes to neutralize with the acquisition of two of the league’s tested hitters, making today’s start of the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 First Conference Finals a duel of power game at The Arena in San Juan.

But FEU coach Shaq delos Santos, whose Lady Tams turned from one of the rest to become one of the best after Rachel Ann Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga came in as reinforcements in the semis, has stressed the need to toughen up on defense what with the towering Santiago sisters – Dindin and Jaja – spearheading NU’s title-retention bid.

Game One of the best-of-three title series is set at 4 p.m. to be shown live on GMA News TV Channel 11 with University of Santo Tomas and Adamson U battling it out for third at 2 p.m.

Meanwhile, the top players in the season-opening conference of the league backed by Mikasa, Accel and Lion Tiger Mosquito Coil, will be feted in awards rites to be held in between the UST-Adamson contest and the championship game.

“We have to find ways to limit NU’s attackers, including the Santiago sisters,” said Delos Santos on the eve of the title clash tipped to go down-to-the-wire.

NU’s mentor Ariel dela Cruz, on the other hand, expects the fancied Santiago siblings to raise their games a notch higher in the finals but adds the need for his wards to play solid defense, both on the floor and upfront.

“We have to be aggressive but defense will decide the series because FEU is solid when it comes to attacks,” said Dela Cruz, who, however, will be missing the services of one of his trusted hitters in Aiko Urdas, who is out with injury.

But NU’s bench depth is formidable with Carmin Aganon, Rizza Mandapat, Myla Pablo expected to step up along with guest players libero Jen Reyes and ace setter Ruby de Leon.

The Lady Bulldogs, who beat the Ateneo Lady Eagles in sudden death last year to nail their first-ever crown in the premier women’s volley league, swept the Morayta-based squad in their lone faceoff in the elims last April 10. But the Lady Tams nipped the San Sebastian Lady Stags for the last quarterfinal seat then foiled the Adamson Lady Falcons for the other finals berth.

Daquis and Gonzaga had a big hand in that big FEU surge as the Philippine Army mainstays provided the needed offense and poise for a team that includes Bernadette Pons, Genevieve Casugod, Mary Joy Palma, Joan dionela, Marie Simborio, Yna Papa and libero Christine Agno.

Daquis, voted as one of the most popular players in the league’s milestone 10th season last year, flashed vintage form in their sudden death duel with Adamson last Thursday, firing 26 hits, including 20 kills, while Gonzaga, a former MVP, backed her up with a solid 12-hit effort along with Pons’ 15 markers and Palma’s 12 points.

But to get back at the talented Lady Bulldogs, delos Santos said they should minimize their errors and come up with a solid start for the needed momentum in a short series.

“We have to play solid and not commit too many mistakes against NU. We also must be able to start out strong like we did against Adamson,” said delos Santos.