Games tomorrow: (Filoil Flying V Arena)

2 p.m. -- NU vs. USLS (3rd Place)

Awarding Ceremonies

4 p.m. -- Adamson vs. Ateneo (Finals, Game 1)


THAI import Lithawat Kesinee is heavily favored to win  the  tournament Most Valuable Player honors in the Shakey’s V-League first conference.

At the end of the semifinals, Kesinee is on track in winning her second MVP award after leading in two main statistical departments – in attacking with a impressive 44.42 percent success rate, and blocking with a 1.11 average per set.

In her second stint, Kesinee, who claimed the league’s highest individual award in the 2007 second conference, carried the Lady Eagles to their first finals appearance in four years.

With 122 points, Kesinee is the second best scorer in the tournament behind University of St. La Salle star Patty Orendain, who has 134 hits.

Ateneo will face Adamson in the best-of-three finals which will start tomorrow at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Trying to duplicate the feat of two-time winners Mary Jean Balse and Suzanne Roces, Lady Falcons guest player Nene Bautista is said to be Kesinee’s biggest threat to the award.

“I like her (Kesinee) defensive tactics and leadership on the court,” said Lady Eagles coach Charo Soriano.

Bautista, who was the 2008 first conference’s top player when the Lady Falcons won the championship, is the tourney’s second-best attacker with 40.69 percent and the fourth-leading scorer with 103 points.

A player is qualified for the individual award race if her team has made it to the ‘Final Four’.

With the early ouster of Far Eastern University, Adamson’s May Macatuno is cinch to clinch the Best Setter award despite placing second (11.19 average per set) behind Gyzelle Sy of the Lady Tamaraws (11.54).

Other statistical leaders in the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza are April Hingpit of the Lady Stingers in service (0.69 average per set), Jen Reyes of National University in digs (5.86 average per set), and Ateneo’s Denden Lazaro in receiving (35.90 percent efficiency rating).

The league will also name the Most Improved Player, where Cai Nepomuceno of the Lady Bulldogs is the runaway favorite.

The awarding ceremonies will be held before the championship opener between the Lady Falcons and the Lady Eagles at 4 p.m.