Shakey’s V-L: PLDT eyes semis vs Cagayan

PLDT HOME Telpad seeks a semifinal spot when it battles struggling Cagayan Valley today even as Ateneo goes for a sweep of the quarterfinal round in the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Open Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Running second behind Army, the Turbo Boosters gun at 2 p.m. for their eighth win that will pull them level with the Lady Troopers at the top.

More importantly, a victory will assure the Turbo Boosters a seat in the next round, avoiding a complicated scenario that could see four teams tied for the last three semifinal seats.

Unable to replicate their impressive form in the first round, the Rising Suns have lost three straight matches, including a five-setter to National U last Tuesday.

Another loss could put them in a precarious situation where the defending champions could miss out on the Final Four, even after leading the pack in the elimination round.

The Lady Eagles try to stay alive in the semifinal race against the Lady Bulldogs in the 4 p.m. duel.

A fifth straight win will guarantee the Lady Eagles at least a playoff for a semifinal seat since Air Force and Cagayan will still be playing in the last quarterfinal playdate.

“We’ll just continue what we have been doing in the quarterfinals,” said  league scoring leader Alyssa Valdez of Ateneo, after the Lady Eagles nipped the Army Lady Troopers in five dramatic sets last Tuesday.  Cedelf P. Tupas