V-League: Ateneo, UST take on equally dangerous foes

Reigning Shakey's V-League titlist Ateneo and six-time champion University of Santo Tomas take on separate foes in Sunday's action of the Season 9 first conference at The Arena in San Juan City. The Lady Eagles, fresh from a four-set triumph over Far Eastern U last week, will face the National U Lady Bulldogs, who are also hell-bent to win to remain in contention for a quarterfinals berth in Group A. Thai reinforcement Lithawat Kesinee will once again team up with local standouts Fille Cainglet, Alyssa Valdez, Dzi Gervacio, Gretchen Ho and Jem Ferrer as they face NU's Din-Din Santiago, Maricar Nepomuceno, Rizza Mandapat, Myla Pablo, Desiree Dadang and Ivy Perez. UST will also take on an Adamson side that is raring to regain its winning form in the 4 p.m. main game. The Odjie Mamon-coached UST squad outplayed Letran in straight sets in their first outing in Group B. Thai guest player Utawan Kaensing and locals Maika Angela Ortiz and Judy Anne Caballejo combined for 43 hits for the Tigresses. But former Most Valuable Player Nene Bautista is expected to lead the fight for the Lady Falcons with fellow guest player Angela Benting and mainstays Paulina Soriano, Sheila Pineda, Faye Guevara and Angelica Quinlog to provide support. The four teams from each group after the single round eliminations will advance to the next round. — JVP, GMA News