Army, PLDT favored over Shakey’s V-League rivals

MANILA, Philippines — Army tries to sustain its ruthless form Tuesday when it squares off with Philippine National Police even as PLDT Home Telpad tries to bounce back against National U in the Shakey’s V-League Season II Open Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Coming off a straight-set demolition of the Turbo Boosters last Thursday, the Lady Troopers are once again fancied to roll past the winless Lady Patrollers and stretch their victory run to five games in the 4 p.m. showdown.

The Turbo Boosters tangle with the National U Lady Bulldogs at 2 p.m. with both teams jockeying for a better seeding heading into the quarterfinal round.

Toting a 4-1 record, the Turbo Boosters are expected to have their hands full against the resurgent Lady Bulldogs, who snapped a two-game slide with a victory over PNP last Sunday.

Neutralizing Jaja Santiago will be foremost in PLDT’s game plan with the statuesque attacker coming off an 18-point performance against PNP.

But the Turbo Boosters also have depth and experience in their squad led by Suzanne Roces and former San Sebastian standouts Lou Ann Latigay and Rysabelle Devanadera. Ex-Ateneo star Charo Soriano is also part of the formidable PLDT squad of coach Roger Gorayeb.

The Lady Patrollers face a daunting challenge against Army which has lost just one set in its five-game winning streak. A victory by PNP will also keep the Lady Patrollers in the race for the last quarterfinal berth.

PNP and UP actually have an outside chance to force a playoff for quarterfinal berths but they must sweep their last two games and hope that National U and Ateneo, with identical 2-2 slates, drop their three remaining matches.

But Army, with former MVPs Nene Bautista and MJ Balse spearheading the squad, is also going all-out for an elimination round sweep. After PNP, the Lady Troopers will also face Ateneo and defending champion Cagayan Valley.