SAN Sebastian College and Far Eastern University clash for the second semifinals berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference on Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Coming off different results from their previous quarterfinal matches on Wednesday, the Lady Stags and Lady Tamaraws, both sporting identical 2-1 win-loss records, battle for the second semis ticket at 4 p.m.
In the second game, Ateneo de Manila and University of the Philippines (UP) begin their quarterfinals campaign as they collide at 6 p.m.
San Sebastian opened its quarterfinals stint on a high note, eliminating University of Santo Tomas.
Reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Open Conference Most Valuable Player Grethcel Soltones has been leading the Lady Stags in the tournament and is glad her teammates are getting the exposure they needed for the coming NCAA wars.
“Mas tumaas na ang kumpiyansa ko sa teammates ko at sobrang nababawasan ‘yung pressure kasi mapapagod ako talaga kung ako lang talaga mag-isa,” said Soltones, currently the league’s top scorer with 99 points.
“Unlike now na talagang gusto nilang gumawa din. Nakikita ko ‘yun sa kanila, so hinahayaan ko muna sila at kapag kailangan na ako, dun na ako mag-step up.”
The Lady Tamaraws were denied to clinch the top 4 spot after suffering their first defeat at the hands of National University (NU) in five sets, 17-25, 26-24, 25-14, 18-25, 11-15.
FEU skipper Remy Palma admitted that the team lost steam against NU and added that the loss served as wake-up call for the team.
“Medyo nag-relax kami pero okay lang ‘yun kasi challenge ‘yan para at least magising kami na marami pa talagang kulang sa team namin,” Palma said. “Kailangan paghirapan pa rin namin each and every game lalo na quarterfinals.”
Meanwhile, the Lady Eagles and the Lady Maroons try to boost their respective semifinal bids as they carry a 1-1 slate.
This is the first time Ateneo and UP will meet since their Final Four encounter in last season’s University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
The Lady Eagles, then bannered by Alyssa Valdez, eliminated the young Lady Maroons. But with Valdez gone, expect UP to gain some advantage with its roster intact.
Leading the Lady Maroons are veterans Kathy Bersola and Nicole Tiamzon and sophomores Isa Molde, Diana Carlos, and Justine Dorog. Ateneo is still rebuilding after losing three key players—Valdez and Amy Ahomiro, due to graduation, and Jho Maraguinot due to a foot injury.
The Lady Eagles will bank on their key holdovers in new skipper Mich Morente, Bea de Leon, Jia Morado, Pauline Gaston and Ana Gopico.
In Spikers’ Turf, University of Perpetual Help and NU, both holding 3-1 cards, clash for the first semifinals berth at 12 noon, while San Beda and National College of Business and Arts, two squads already eliminated, meet in a no-bearing contest at 10 a.m.