ATENEO and Adamson will try to finish off their semifinal rivals on Thursday and arrange a title showdown in the 10th Shakey's V-League First Conference on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Gunning for a third title, the Lady Eagles aim to dispose of the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses in their 4 p.m. match.
Focus will again be on Jeng Bualee, the Thai player acquired by Ateneo only over the weekend, who came up with a second-best 19 points in her debut with the Lady Eagles, behind only Allysa Valdez’s 25 markers in the 20-25, 25-16, 29-27, 25-14 win.
"Malaking tulong si Jeng," said Ateneo coach Roger Gorayeb. "Yung output niya malaki at experience din niya ang nadadala sa amin."
“Lamang din kami psychologically kasi galing kami sa panalo.”
Valdez, Fille Cainglet and guest player Rachel Ann Daquis are also expected to come up huge for Ateneo, while UST’s Aiza Maizo, Carmela Tunay, Pam Lastimosa and Maika Ortiz will hope to make the necessary adjustments and avoid the errors to force a rubber match.
The Tigresses won the opening frame and had a chance to take the third if not for several errors.
Meanwhile, after a thrilling five-set win, Adamson is hoping to score a more comfortable victory although the Lady Falcons said they are ready for another long battle with the tough Bulldogs in the 2 p.m. match.
Before its, 25-22, 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 13-15, loss to Adamson last Tuesday, NU swept its matches in the eliminations and quarterfinals.
"Naniniwala kami na kaya namin talunin ang NU," said Lady Falcons mentor Sherwin Meneses.
Angela Benting, who fired 28 points in the series opener, will be expected to deliver again together with Bhebs Pineda and Pau Soriano, while Dindin Santiago will lead the Lady Bulldogs anew.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
