Powerhouse Army tries to close in on a semifinal berth when it takes on resurgent Air Force today even as PLDT Home Telpad and National U seek to bounce back in the quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Open Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
A victory by the in-form Lady Troopers in the 4 p.m. clash with the Raiders will also give Army the solo lead, ahead of the Cagayan Valley Lady Rising Suns at 7-1.
Stung by a surprisingly one-sided loss to Ateneo last Sunday, the Turbo Boosters look to rebound against the Lady Bulldogs at 2 p.m.
Just like the Turbo Boosters, the Lady Bulldogs also dropped their first game of the quarterfinals to the Raiders in four sets.
The Lady Bulldogs were unable to build on a solid first set and got blitzed by an inspired Air Force side in the next three sets.
Another loss could prove disastrous to NU’s bid of reaching the semifinals as the Lady Bulldogs currently share last place with the Lady Eagles with a 3-5 slate.
Hoping to keep in step with the leaders, the Turbo Boosters (6-2) are also seeking to improve after getting swept by Ateneo.
Unable to cope with the power game of Alyssa Valdez the last time out, the Lady Bulldogs will now have to deal with another young attacker in Jaja Santiago.
Army goes into the game toughened by a five-set win over Ateneo last week, drawing superb games from Mary Jean Balse, Nene Bautista, Rachel Ann Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga in their run to the quarterfinals. Cedelf P. Tupas