Army, San Sebastian try to boost V-League semis bid

MANILA—Philippine Army and San Sebastian try to boost their semifinal bids when they tangle with separate rivals Thursday in the Shakey’s V-League Season 8 Open Conference at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Army, powered by national team mainstays Michelle Carolino and Tina Salak, faces a well-rested Ateneo squad in the 2 p.m. game, before Navy and San Sebastian collide in a duel of powerhouse squads.

Only the top four teams will advance to the semifinals.

The 4 p.m. game will give the Lady Stags the chance to avenge their only defeat so far in the tournament.

But San Sebastian has picked up its game since the three-set loss to Navy in the first round, making the Lady Stags slight favorites to nail their second win in the quarterfinals.

A major reason for the Lady Stags’ surge is the presence of American reinforcement Lauren Ford, the league’s best spiker, who had an efficient 13-of-20 attack success rate in the domination of Air Force last Tuesday.

Ford, who struggled to fit into the system of coach Roger Gorayeb early in the tournament, has converted 106 spikes from 202 attempts in seven games for a 52.48 percent norm.

Long-time Lady Stags import Jeng Baulee, who is still looking for her first V-League title, leads Ford’s support crew, along with Joy Benito, Rubie de Leon, Janette Doria and Jill Gustilo.

Navy’s lead blocker Michelle Laborte, who leads the field with 18 blocks in eight matches, will have the tough task of neutralizing Ford.

Navy is coming off a 25-15, 25-23, 25-16 triumph over Mayniald that evened its win-loss card at 1-1.

Army held off Ateneo in four in the elimination phase and looked even more menacing in its 25-20, 25-20, 26-24 conquest of Navy last Sunday.

Ateneo will pin its hopes on Alyssa Valdez, Fille Cainglet, Gretchen Ho, Angeline Gervacio and Aerieal Patnongon.