source: By FRANCIS SANTIAGO / mb.com.phGames Thursday (The Arena, San Juan)
2 p.m. — St. Benilde vs Perpetual Help
4 p.m. — SWU vs Ateneo
6 p.m. — Lyceum vs SSC
MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo and University of Perpetual Help hope to clinch the first two quarterfinal slots when they tackle separate foes Thursday in the Shakey’s V-League Season 8 first conference at The Arena in San Juan.
With a 2-0 card, the Lady Eagles and rookie coach Charo Soriano need only a victory in the 4 p.m. Group A encounter with the Southwestern University Lady Cobras to book a spot in the next stage.
But Ateneo might be hard-pressed to achieve that goal against a provincial squad out to continue its giant-killing ways.
The Cebu-based tossers have proven they no longer deserve the underdog tag following their massive victories against Far Eastern University (3-2) last week and San Sebastian College (3-1) on Tuesday.
Getting a bonus win from a forfeited Adamson University game, the Lady Altas tote a 2-0 card and will only need a win in the 2 p.m. Group B clash opposite the winless College of St. Benilde to progress.
The Lyceum Lady Pirates and San Sebastian lasses close out the triple-header at 6 p.m. with both teams hoping to rebound from contrasting defeats.
An SWU victory won’t only deny Ateneo the quarterfinal slot but will also give the Lady Cobras a piece of the lead.
The Lady Cobras, led by the power-hitting trio of Erica Verano, Danika Gendrauli and April Aguilar, are expected to dish out the same form they produced in crushing the SSC lasses.
Behind a superb net attack coupled with unforgiving defense to Lady Cobras dumped SSC, which hardly looked a team that finished as runner up in the first two conferences.
“We’re happy that the fans in Metro Manila are appreciating the provincial team’s performances,” SWU coach Jordan Jaca said.
“We hope we can continue our winning run.”
V-League commissioner Tony Liao forfeited Adamson’s 25-20, 25-15, 25-19 win over Perpetual after an ineligible player was fielded in the second set.
It was the first-ever forefeiture based on violation of league rules after Adamson fielded three guest players when only two are allowed.
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