La Salle, NCBA spikers seek crucial wins

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle and National College of Business and Arts try to nail crucial victories over their respective rivals and stay in a three-cornered fight for the last two semifinal berths in the Spikers’ Turf Season 1-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan City today.

With the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals back in the semis hunt with a straight-set win over the UP Maroons last Monday for a 3-3 card, the Archers (3-2) and Wildcats (2-3) are hard-pressed to get past the National U Bulldogs and the St. Benilde Blazers, respectively, and keep their spots in the Magic Four heading to the last two playdates of the tournament presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

But La Salle, coming off a three-game sweep of FEU, will have a tougher assignment than NCBA as the Archers take on an NU side seeking to match the Ateneo Eagles’ 6-0 card. Though the Bulldogs are assured of the second semis spot, the former UAAP champions are still expected to go all out for a victory to keep their winning form into the Final Four.

Gametime is at 5 p.m.

The Wildcats, on the other hand, are reeling from a 1-3 setback to the powerhouse Eagles but will be facing a St. Benilde squad trying to spoil NCBA’s semifinal drive in the league backed by Mikasa and organized by Sports Vision. They clash at 3 p.m. Games can be viewed live via streaming on www.v-league.ph.

UP and St. Benilde are out of it with identical 1-4 slates while FEU remains in the cellar with a 0-5 mark. The Tams and the Maroons collide in the 1 p.m. opener.

La Salle coach Ronald Dulay will pin his hopes on Raymark Woo, Arjay Onia and Mike Frey with support to come from Ralph Calasin, Rafael del Pilar and setter Geuel Asia as they go up against a crack NU crew composed of Bryan Bagunas, Madzlan Gampong, Fauzi Ismail, Francis Saura, Kim Malabunga and playmaker Vincent Mangulabnan.

Meanwhile, the EAC-UP match will be shown on PTV 4 starting at 3:30 p.m. today while the La Salle-FEU clash will be telecast tomorrow. Games are aired on a delayed basis from Monday to Friday while Saturday telecast begins at 9:15 p.m.