In another exciting sudden death championship battle San Sebastian faces University of Santo Tomas, determined to prevent the Tigresses from achieving a coveted three-peat in their showdown at The Arena in San Juan at 4:00 p.m. Thursday.
The venue which was rocking with noisy fans waving balloons and bands blaring in the general admission section is expected to be even noisier for the classic match-up of two of the most talented women’s volleyball teams.
In the final analysis most experts believe it will be a question of
execution and determination in the playoff game that will determine who grabs the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 title.
The Lady Stags may have some momentum following their cliffhanger of a win, 21-25, 25-16, 15-25, 25-20,15-13 in Game Two before a huge crowd last Tuesday that set up this rubber match for the first conference crown starting at 4 p.m.But the Tigresses, who took the opener of the best-of-three series, 25-21, 22-25, 25-20, 25-15, last Sunday, remain confident of their chances despite losing Game Two and two of
their stalwarts to injuries.
Coach Shaq de los Santos who is back at the helm of UST after a weeklong absence said “We still have a good chance provided they all perform well” which doesn’t provide a clue as to his gameplan.
Obviously in a situation where there is no tomorrow every player is expected to dish out her best although it will all boil down to execution, particularly in a down-to-the-wire finish like the last time.
The Stags showed championship poise in thwarting the Tigresses’ sweep bid in Game Two with Thai
import Jeng Bualee taking over in the fifth before MVP Suzanne Roces and most improved player Joy Benito stepped up when the game was on the line. They also got some breaks down the stretch.
For Bualee who is aching to win a championship this is the best chance to achieve her dream in the league sponsored Shakey’s Pizza and presented by PLDT MyDSL after three failed bids since 2006.
“She (Bualee) really wanted to win. We needed to win the last time out and they poured it all out,” said SSC coach, colorful Roger Gorayeb. But he conceded “like in Game 2, I think breaks will decide the game.”
The Tigresses will bank on their experience and resiliency as they try to keep their winning streak in the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa and Mighty Bond.
UST has won the league’s last two conferences, beating SSC in this conference last year before dominating Adamson last December.
But the Tigresses will be without injured open spikers Angeli Tabaquero and Maru Banaticla, giving the Lady Stags the advantage in personnel that includes Elaine Cruz, Dafna Robiños,Jennelyn Belen and Margarita Pepito.
Tabaquero sustained a knee injury in the series opener while Banaticla suffered an ankle injury before Game Two while “Maru (Banaticla) remains a doubtful starter in Game 3,” said delos Santos.
But a determined and talented Aiza Maizo will be out there to lead UST along with towering guest player Mary Jean Balse aided by Michelle
Carolino, Maika Ortiz, Jude Ann Caballejo, Rhea Dimaculangan and Jessica Curato.
“I hope Joy (Benito) will make some adjustments defending the left-spiking Maizo,” said Gorayeb, seeking to give SSC a second crown since he steered the team to victory, against UST, in the 2008 second conference final.
Photos courtesy of Ben Maniclang
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