Ateneo, NU step up V-League drive

MANILA, Philippines - Title favorites Ateneo and National U hope to ride the crest of their imposing stints in the group stages as they take on separate struggling rivals at the start of the quarterfinal phase of the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan City today.

The Lady Eagles, who carried a league-leading 3-0 card after sweeping Group B, face a UP Lady Maroons side needing no less than a victory in a bid to revive their semifinal hopes hampered by a poor 0-3 mark.

That makes the 3 p.m. clash between the Loyola-based schools worth watching with Ateneo expected to come in full force to keep its win run going and UP going all out for the much-needed win in the crucial phase of the mid-season offering of the league presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

That will also be the theme in the NU-La Salle Dasmariñas clash in the 12:45 p.m. opener with the Lady Bulldogs hoping to break off a four-way tie for second with a victory over the Lady Patriots.

NU totes a 2-1 slate, along with Far Eastern U, Arellano U and UST, with the Lady Bulldogs installed as the heavy favorites over the Cavite-based squad raring to improve its 1-2 mark for a crack at one of the semis berths in the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

The NU-La Salle Dasma game will be shown live on GMA News TV Channel 11 and both games can also be viewed live via streaming on www.v-league.ph, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

Expect Ateneo coach Tai Bundit to rely heavily again on the power-hitting Alyssa Valdez, now back in top form after sustaining an injury in the early going of the tournament backed by Mikasa and Accel, along with Jhoanna Maraguinot, Bea De Leon, Kim Gequillana and setter Gizelle Tan.

But the Lady Maroons are ready to face the reigning UAAP champions head-on with Isabel Molde and Justine Dorog tipped to carry the scoring cudgels and Mae Carlos, Alisas Buitre, Maristela Layug, Princess Gaiser and playmaker Jewel Lai providing the needed back-up.

The Santiago sisters (Dindin Manabat and Jaja), on the other hand, are expected to lead NU’s attack against La Salle-Dasma along with Myla Pablo, Jorelle Singh, Fatima General and setter Rica Diolan. But the Lady Patriots are out to spring a surprise on a team built around Iumi Yongco, Cherry Rose Nunag, Desiree Dadang, Maribeth Lara and guest player/setter Gyzelle Sy.