IEM spikers eye piece of Shakey’s V-L lead

Instituto Estitico Manila and PLDT Home Telpad try to strengthen their bids for a finals berth as they square off with separate rivals today in the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Third Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Volley Masters take the floor at 4 p.m. against the Rizal Technological U Blue Thunder with IEM seeking to rejoin idle Systema Tooth and Gum Care at the top of the standings at 3-1 in the men’s division.

Running third in the women’s division with a 1-2 record, the Turbo Boosters shoot for the all-important win against the Power Spikers, whom they swept in their first round duel last Oct. 9.

But PLDT has lost two straight games since beating Meralco as the Turbo Boosters dropped matches to the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns and the unbeaten Army Lady Troopers.

With the twin losses, the Turbo Boosters have no choice but to win their remaining games to keep their hopes of making the finals.

It’s been a nightmarish campaign for the Power Spikers, who are virtually out of the race for a finals berth after losing their first four games, the last against Army last Sunday.

The Lady Troopers’ 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 25-19 win over the Power Spikers all but assured Army of a finals seat.

Meralco can take encouragement from the form of Thai import Wanida Kotruang, who had 17 hits just like Stephanie Mercado in the loss to Army. The game was actually the first in the tournament for Wanida, who missed the first three games due to the lack of an FIVB Transfer Certificate.  Cedelf P. Tupas