V-League: Army, San Sebastian try to forge title clash

MANILA, Philippines—Top seeds Philippine Army and San Sebastian try to forge a championship duel when they gun for a sweep against their respective semifinal rivals in the Shakey’s V- League Open Conference at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Troopers look to finish off the Ateneo Lady Eagles at 4 p.m., after the Lady Stags seek the first finals berth against Philippine Navy in their best-of-three series.

After finishing 1-2 in the classification stage, Army and San Sebastian wasted little time to justify their billing with clinical straight-set wins last Sunday.

Although they still need to win Thursday, Stags coach Roger Gorayeb is already looking forward to facing Army in the finals.
“I’m thinking of the finals,” said Gorayeb, who steered the Lady Stags to the second conference title two years ago. “We are already thinking of how we can beat Army.”

Already formidable with American Lauren Ford and Thai Jeng Bualee leading the way, the Lady Stags further beefed up their squad by tapping Jennifer Manzano, who played for Air Force in the elimination round and quarterfinals.
While the Lady Stags have plenty of options, the Lady Sailors are merely hoping that top scorer Nene Bautista recovers today after suffering an ankle injury last Sunday.