V-League title contenders Ateneo, UST collide Sunday

Reigning titlist Ateneo and six-time champion UST clash Sunday in a duel of unbeaten teams tipped to contend for the Shakey's V-League Season 9 first conference crown. The Lady Eagles-Tigresses tussle will be at The Arena in San Juan City with the former seeking their seventh straight win and the latter hoping to stretch their unbeaten streak to five. NCAA champion University of Perpetual Help shoots for the third semis berth against University of St. La Salle-Bacolod in the 2 p.m. opening match. San Sebastian battles Far Eastern University in the 3 p.m. contest. Ateneo and UST have already secured semifinals berths and boast of high-powered rosters, making observers believe that the 6 p.m. main game is a short preview of the finals. Focus will be on the local crew of both teams, with Ateneo relying on the quintet led by the power-hitting Alyssa Valdez, Fille Cainglet, Dzi Gervacio, Gretchen Ho and setter Jam Ferrer against a UST side bannered by Judy Caballejo, Maika Ortiz, Maruja Banaticla, former MVP Mary Jean Balse and Rhea Dimaculangan. Thai imports Phee Nok Kesinee of Ateneo and UST's Utaiwan Kaensing, on the other hand, will provide the leadership and poise for the two most dominant teams in the season-opening conference. Perpetual Help, on the other hand, tries to formalize its semis against La Salle-Bacolod, while San Sebastian aims to move closer to clinching a Final Four berth when it battles struggling FEU. The Lady Altas, holding a 3-1 card, only need one more win in their last three quarterfinal matches in order to advance to the next round. — JVP, GMA News