Lyceum guns for WNCAA hoops, volley titles

Lyceum of the Philippines goes for its fourth consecutive basketball crown and 10th straight volleyball title when the finals of both events in the 40th Women's National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) resumes on Sunday at the St. Scholastica's College gym. The Lady Pirates took the pivotal lead in their best-of-3 basketball title series against College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers with a 52-42 triumph. Lyceum goes not only for the title-clincher but also a sweep of all its matches this season in their 10:30 a.m. match. If successful, it will be the Lady Pirates’ eighth win this season and fourth triumph over the Lady Blazers in best-of-3 championship faceoffs. The Intramuros-based Lyceans won the crown over the team from Taft Avenue in the 33rd, 35th and 39th seasons.

Lyceum is again expected to bank on Lalaine Flormata, Jessica Polindey, Jona Yasay, Kristina de Jesus and Arlene Gesalan in this mission. Lyceum mentor Aileen Lebornio wants her wards to play more than 100 percent to ensure their triumph. "We won't have extra-special preparations for Game 2," said Lebornio. "We'll just play our usual game, give our 101 percent effort and be ready for St. Benilde's comeback plans." In volleyball, the Lady Pirates are raring to bag a record 10th consecutive crown when they meet Rizal Technological University at 2:30 p.m. Like their counterparts in basketball, the Lyceum spikers are looking at sweeping their way to the title. The Lady Pirates posted a 25-21, 29-27. 25-17 win over RTU in Game 1 of their best-of-3 title series to move one win away from the crown. In the Senior B basketball and volleyball best-of-three championships, La Consolacion College-Manila and University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) are hoping to bag their first-ever crown in the league against UA&P and CEU, respectively. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV