V-League quarters slots at stake

Ateneo, Far Eastern University and Lyceum go for three of the last four quarterfinal berths as they shoot for win No. 4 against separate rivals this Thursday in the second conference of the 7th Shakey's V-League at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lady Eagles battle the College of St. Benilde Blazers at 4 p.m., while the Lady Tamaraws collide with the University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas at 2 p.m.

The Mary Jean Balse-led Lady Pirates, on the other hand, lock horns with the National University Lady Bulldogs in the nightcap at 6 p.m.

Ateneo (3-1), FEU (3-2) and Lyceum (3-3) are currently at third, fourth, and fifth, respectively, and another victory against their respective foes will allow them to formalize their entry into the next stage of the tournament backed by Mikasa, Accel and Excelroof.

San Sebastian College-Excelroof and Adamson have already booked their seats in the quarters last Sunday.

The SSC lasses and the Lady Falcons took the first two seats with straight-set victories over NU and CSB last Sunday with the SSC spikers regaining the solo lead at 5-1 and the Lady Falcons moving up to second with a 4-2 slate.

Despite their advantage in almost all position, the Lady Eagles are expected to encounter rough sailing opposite the Blazers, who will try to devise a solid battle plan to avoid an early vacation.

With a 0-5 card, the Blazers face a must-win situation in their last two outings to keep their bid alive.

However, they will have their hands full today against a fired up Ateneo side, which is coming off a morale-boosting five-set, 25-10, 17-25, 16-25, 25-22, 15-12 decision against the Lady Pirates last Sunday.

Thai import Surasawadee Boonyuen will be at the forefront anew of the Lady Eagles offensive after piling up 23 hits, built around 19 kills and four aces, last time out.

She will be backstopped by Denise Acevedo and Angeline Gervacio, Fille Cainglet, Alyssa Valdez, Gretchen Ho and Bea Pascual.

The Tamaraws, who bowed out last conference with a dismal 0-4 card, are apparently on the rise this time as they are eyeing a fourth straight win.

The Lady Pirates are expected to bank anew on the forays of Balse, their guest player and a two-time MVP winner, who fired a conference-tying 27 points last time out.

Francis Santiago, Manila Bulletin