INQUIRER Sports

DEFENDING CHAMPION San Sebastian and pre-tournament pick University of Santo Tomas try to move closer to a rematch of last year?s finals as they clash Tuesday with separate foes at the start of the semifinals of the Shakey?s V-League Season 6 second conference at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Stags, whose roster has been weakened by the graduation of key players, are slight favorites against a resurgent Adamson side in their 2 p.m. clash.

The Tigresses, beaten just two times so far, are odds-on favorites in their 4 p.m. date with the Lady Tamaraws, who needed a playoff win over the Ateneo Lady Eagles to stay alive.

Both semifinal matchups are a repeat of the Final Four pairings in the previous conference, where the Tigresses beat the Lady Stags for their record fourth title.

San Sebastian finished the classification phase with an 8-4 record to clinch the No. 2 spot.

But the Lady Stags? title reign will be seriously challenged by the third-ranked Lady Falcons, who have won four of their last five games and emerged as the best team in the quarterfinals.