EXPECT fireworks right on the opening day of the Shakey’s V-League second conference as four title contenders clash in separate matches on Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
San Sebastian College, installed as the top pick following the withdrawal of six-time champion University of Santo Tomas, opens its title drive in the season-ending tournament against Lyceum, a team which showed a lot of promise but failed to sustain its charge in the first conference.
Ateneo, which tapped another Thai import in the name of Surasawadee Boonyuen to anchor its campaign for a first ever championship in the league battles an equally-talented and title-hungry Far Eastern University squad.
Surasawadee, who is arriving in the country today, is a wing spiker and block artist and member of Thailand’s national team B, to anchor the Lady Eagles campaign in the two-month long tournament.
Dzi Gervacio, Fille Cainglet, Bea Pascual, Gretchen Ho, Aillyse Nacachi and Jem Ferrer will also the key players to watch for Ateneo, which will parade guest player Alyssa Valdez, a former UST high school star.
But the Lady Eagles will be ranged against a Lady Tamaraws squad reinforced by two of the league’s noted hitters – Rachel Anne Daquis and Michelle Carolino.
FEU will also bank on UAAP Season 72 MVP Cherry May Vivas, Monique Tiangco, Ina Sy, Danna Henson, Wenneth Eulalio and Rose Vargas.
But focus will definitely be on a debuting National University side, which hopes to come out strong right in its first game for the much-needed momentum and confidence against College of Saint Benilde, a team with so much promise but just couldn’t pull it off.
Adamson, another title favorite, and the other newcomer, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, only get to strut their wares on July 15.
“Actually with UST and La Salle not competing this conference, one problem that cropped up was how we will fill up the vacancy. Good thing, NU and Perpetual Help came over and declared they’re ready to play,” said Sports Vision chairman Moying Martelino in the weekly PSA Forum Tuesday at Shakey’s U.N. Avenue.
With Martelino in the forum presented by Outlast Battery, PAGCOR, Accel and Shakey’s were Ricky Palou also of Sports Vision and Shakey’s marketing director Barbie Ocampo.
The Lady Altas, who will have former Lady Archers stalwart Michelle Datuin as guest player, are expected to make an impression in their debut stint.
“Perpetual Help is definitely one of the contenders in the NCAA so the school deserved an invitation from us. In the case of NU, the school was the one which inquired about how to be invited. So we considered them as probable entry since NU was really very interested in joining,” said Palou.
Chasing their second crown in the league presented by PLDT MyDSL and sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza, with Accel, Mikasa and Mighty Bond as backers, the Lady Stags will be led again by the reigning NCAA MVP Joy Benito, Dafna Robiños, Elaine Cruz, Melissa Mirasol, Jennelyn Belen and guest player Suzanne Roces.
San Sebastian, the reigning NCAA champions, is hoping that Thai reinforcement Jeng Bualee will arrive midway in the tournament to boost its stock.
Guest players Mary Jean Balse and Dahlia Cruz will lead the Lady Pirates attack along with open hitters Joy Cases and Jamie Peña, Nikki Ann Tabafunda and Carmela Morales.
Nene Bautista will be the forefront of the Lady Falcons’ campaign along with old reliables Angela Benting, Pau Soriano, Des Patilano and multi-awarded libero Lizlee Ann Gata.
The Lady Blazers will pin their hopes on guest player Jennifer Manzano along with mainstays Giza Yumang, Rossan Fajardo, Cindy Optana and Ren Agero.
Meanwhile, the organizing Sports Vision, inspired by the fans’ tremendous response in the recent first conference, has come up with a new promo this conference, allowing each Lower Box ticket holder to bring along a friend for free. (TJ)
