Ateneo, PAF dispute Shakey’s semis berth

No stranger to rising from the brink, Ateneo tries to pull off one more miracle today in the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Open Conference.

Riding high on a five-game winning streak, the Lady Eagles dispute the last semifinal berth with the Philippine Air Force Spikers at 4 p.m. today at Filoil Flying V Aren in San Juan.

Both teams split their two meetings this season with the Lady Eagles hoping to gain momentum from their five-set triumph two weeks ago.

The Lady Eagles were given up for dead after entering the quarterfinals with a 2-5 record. But they pulled off a stunning turnaround, taking down the league’s elite teams one after the other.

But the Air Spikers are also looking to turn their fortunes around after a surprisingly one-sided loss to Cagayan Valley last Sunday—a defeat that relegated them to the sudden death battle with Ateneo.

The win rewarded the Rising Suns with the third semifinal slot behind Army and PLDT Home Telpad.

Ateneo gunner Alyssa Valdez will be the Raiders’ main concern. Explosive performances have become ordinary for the reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player who fired 32 points in the win over National U last Thursday.

The prolific Valdez has been largely responsible for the Lady Eagles’ comeback, averaging 27 points per outing. And with Michele Morente, Miren Gequillana and Bea De Leon stepping up in the last few games, the Lady Eagles will prove to be a handful for the experienced Air Spikers.

Air Force coach Clarence Esteban remains confident his wards can pull through under pressure.

The Air Spikers will pin their hopes on Maika Ortiz and Judy Caballejo, who combined for 30 hits against Cagayan last Sunday, along with Joy Cases, Joice Tapic, Iari Yongco, May Ann Pantino, Jennifer Manzano and Rhea Dimaculangan.

But Esteban knows all too well neutralizing Valdez will be key.

“She (Valdez) is the leader of the team,” said Esteban.