UNDEFEATED Far Eastern University (FEU) hopes to continue its domination in the quarterfinal stage as it battles defending champion National University (NU) in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Lady Tamaraws, who swept all their Group B games in the preliminary round to carry a 2-0 record in the quarters, and the Lady Bulldogs battle at 6 p.m. right after the match between San Sebastian College and University of Santo Tomas (UST) at 4 p.m.
FEU, bannered by Bernadeth Pons, Remy Palma, Chin Basas, Kyle Negrito and Jerrili Malabanan, has dominated its opponents in the first round, but Head Coach Shaq de los Santos said the real battle starts in the quarterfinals.
“S’yempre advantage ‘to para sa amin, but of course, hindi namin puwedeng pabayaan kung anong mayroon kami ngayon,” de los Santos said. “Mas paghihirapan pa namin at tatiyagain pa para pumasok kami sa finals ‘yun ang goal namin.”
The Lady Tams’ mettle will be tested by the Lady Bulldogs, who opened their quarterfinal round with a 25-21, 29-27, 25-13 win over the Tigresses on Monday, to carry a 2-1 card.
Meanwhile, the Lady Stags, led by reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Open Conference Most Valuable Player Grethcel Soltones, enter the next stage with a 1-1 record.
Soltones emerged as the top scorer in the league after the first round with a total of 76 points on 68 spikes, six blocks and two aces.
San Sebastian Assistant Coach Clint Malazo hopes his team will continue to improve, as they are also using the tournament for the upcoming National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
“Pipilitin namin makalaro nang maayos sa quarterfinals. ‘Yun naman ang goal namin kahit anong resulta, preparation na rin sa NCAA,” said Malazo, who has been doing a good job in filling the big shoes of Head Coach Roger Gorayeb.
UST fights for survival as it is holding a 0-3 record and needs to win its remaining games to stay in the hunt for the semis slot.
But the Tigresses will continue to miss EJ Laure and Cherry Rondina, who are in Thailand for Foton Pilipinas training camp.
In Spikers’ Turf, De La Salle seeks to force a four-way tie on top of Group A with FEU, NU and University of Perpetual Help when it battles Philippine Merchant Marine School at 10 a.m., while Group B cellar-dwellers Emilio Aguinaldo College and National College of Business and Arts at 12 noon.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza