Game today:
(Filoil Flying V Arena)
4 p.m. -- Ateneo  vs. NU (Semis, Game 3)

ATENEO and National University dispute the remaining finals berth in a semifinals decider which is expected to be a tension-filled and emotional one in the Shakey’s V-League first conference today at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The winner of the 4 p.m. knockout game will meet Adamson in the best-of-three championship which kicks off on Sunday.

Hours after their series opening win was nullified due to a technicality, the Lady Eagles bounced back on the playing court with an empathic 25-14, 25-18, 25-20 victory over the Lady Bulldogs the other day.

Ateneo won Game 1, 25-27, 25-14, 25-10, 25-19, but was forfeited as Bea Tan, the team’s second libero, was fielded in as a regular player which is a violation of the FIVB rules.

Whatever the outcome of the semifinals, NU coach Francis Vicente is very satisfied on his team’s showing, thanks to the performances of reinforcements Dindin Santiago, Cherry Vivas and Monique Tiangco.

The Lady Bulldogs easily surpassed their sixth place finish in the 2010 second conference.

“Pumasok ka lang sa semis, iba na yon, for National University, making it for the first time is a big achievement,” said Vicente.

“Ang makarating kami sa finals, bonus na lang yon. Sa amin lang, dina-drive lang namin yung bata to be strong, maging matapang.  Kung magsisipag sila sa Game 3, may chance kami. Ang hangad namin, mag-laro sila nang maayos,” he added.

Cai Nepomuceno and Ria Sante, who combined for only eight hits in Game 2, must step up big time for the Lady Bulldogs.

Despite the forfeiture, the Lady Eagles remained composed, as Thai import Lithawat Kesinee and Fille Cainglet delivered with 20 and  12 points, respectively.        Theodore Jurado