Libero Max Juangco will play a key role in the defensive end for FEU in their V-League Collegiate Challenge semis duel with Perpetual. V-League photo
FEU stakes unbeaten record in V-League
FAR Eastern University stakes its unbeaten streak against University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, while University of the East and College of Saint Benilde clash in a pair of women’s semifinals duels today in the V-League Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena.
Chenie Tagaod, who helped anchor the Lady Tamaraws’ dominant campaign in the elims, gears up for a showdown with scoring machine Mary Rhose Dapol and the rest of the Lady Altas in the opener of their best-of-three series set at 12 noon.
“As usual pag-aaralan namin ‘yung makakalaban namin. Re-review-hin yung mga dapat aralin, para pag tumuntong kami ulit kami rito, handa ang girls, handa ang coaches, handa kaming lahat,” said FEU interim coach Manolo Refugia.
The Lady Tamaraws won their elimination round meeting against the Lady Altas, 28-26, 17-25, 25-17, 25-13, last August 23.
Two programs under seasoned mentor Jerry Yee kick off hostilities at 10 a.m. as the Lady Warriors and the Lady Blazers dispute the other finals berth in their side of the best-of-three playoff.
Benilde toppled UE, 23-25, 25-22, 29-27, 25-18, in their elims clash last September 10 with Gayle Pascual and the rest of the squad all motivated to do a reprise and seize the lead in the short series.
“Mabigat loob mo pag two programs ang naglaban,” said Yee.
In men’s play, top seed University of Santo Tomas hopes to sustain its form in the absence of head coach Odjie Mamon, who is with the national team in the Hangzhou Asian Games in China, as it collides with long-time volleyball rival Far Eastern University at 4 p.m. semis opener.
The Golden Spikers, though, are expected to ride on their six-match win streak, including a 25-22, 26-24, 20-25, 25-18 elims victory over the Tamaraws with reigning UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez tipped to lead the team’s offense again.
Jian Salarzon and the rest of Ateneo crew, on the other hand, mix it up with La Salle at 2 p.m. to open their own best-of-three series.
The Blue Eagles are also coming into the semis brimming with confidence following their 25-17, 26-24, 25-15 sweep of their fabled rivals in the elims last Sunday.
