BY ABBY TORALBA
FOUR equally determined teams are expected to bring their A-Games today in the semifinals of V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena.
The much-awaited collision between UAAP champion National University and NCAA titlist Perpetual Help is set at 3 p.m., while Ateneo duels with University of Santo Tomas at 5.
The Bulldogs reached the semifinals last Wednesday after blanking San Beda University 25 15, 25-21, 25-23 in the quarterfinals.
“Okay naman iyong performance namin noong first two sets pero noong third set lang medyo nagka-problema lang kami sa service at receiving namin,” NU coach Dante Alinsunurin said.
“Nakuha pa rin namin iyong panalo. Malaking bagay ito para sa darating na semifinals,” he added.
The Altas trounced Arellano University 26-28, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16 to enter the semis.
“Of course, I’m happy pasok na kami (sa semifinals) but then sad ng kaunti kasi iyong trini-train namin during training namin hindi na-apply because I told them na iyong physical, huwag na nating ibilang iyon,” Perpetual strategist Sammy Acaylar said.
“Kailangan iyong emotions at psychological, sometimes kasi nakikita ko na nadi-distract sila sa sarili nila that is why sabi ko kanina they have to focus sa ginagawa nila and apply lang nila ‘yung ginagawa nila sa training at huwag nila paigsiin iyong utak nila.”
The Bulldogs will rely on Nico Almendras, Mike Buddin, Joshua Retamar, Kennry Malinis, Choi Diao and Obed Mukaba.
Louie Ramirez, Hero Austria, Michael Medalla, John Enarciso, Joshua Zareno, and KC Andrade will lead the Altas’ charge.
A classification match pitting San Beda and Arellano is set at 10 a.m. that will be followed by a La Salle-Far Eastern University tussle at 1 p.m.
