GAMES TODAY
(The Arena, San Juan)
11 a.m. – Mapua vs. Arellano (Men’s F4)
2:30 p.m. – Letran vs. Arellano (Women’s F4)
LETRAN takes on Arellano University today in the semifinals of the 100th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan, with the Lady Knights going for a big win to book the second slot in the finals.
Seeded second, Letran, armed with a twice-to-beat edge, battles Arellano U at 2:30 p.m., bidding to join defending champion College of St. Benilde in the finals.
The Lady Blazers pounced on the Mapua Lady Cardinals last Monday in their playoff battle, scoring a 20-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-18 win to seize the first finals berth while relegating the Cardinals to the bronze medal match.
Hoping to return to the finals for the second straight season, Letran mentor Oliver Almadro said the Lady Knights are ready for whatever the Lady Chiefs will bring to the table.
“We have to be ready. We have to be ready going into the semifinals. We thank the Lord for giving us an opportunity to be in the Final Four for two years in a row and we pray to God na bigyan ulit kami ng chance na makapasok sa championship. Thy will be done in the championship,” the veteran mentor said.
“We have to think of that game, we have to think that there’s no advantage, walang disadvantage, walang advantage. We have to prepare and dumating sa game na ready,” he added.
Rookie Vanessa Sarie, sophomore Gia Maquilang, and veterans Judiel Nitura and Lara Silva are expected to lead the Intramuros-based crew in their bid to complete their redemption this season.
Arellano needs to win today to force a do-or-die match against Letran.
The Lady Chiefs are seeking to make it to the finals for the first time since the 97th season of the Grand Old League.
Arellano head tactician Obet Javier said: “Syempre masaya kami dahil iyong target namin initially this season is nakuha namin. So, sabi ko nga last time iyong makapasok muna kami sa Final Four nakuha naman, tapos saka kami na ta-target sa susunod.”
If the Legarda-based squad wins today, the two teams clash anew on Friday at the same venue.
Opposite spiker Pauline De Guzman, outside hitter Laika Tudlasan and middle blocker Sam Tiratira are expected to lead the Lady Chiefs.
