NU, FEU try to bolster Shakey’s q’final bids

COMING off contrasting wins, National University and Far Eastern University try to inch closer to the quarterfinals with a third straight victory in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference today at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

But the Lady Bulldogs may just face their toughest opponent yet in NCAA champion Arellano in the first of a three-game bill at 12:45 p.m.

“We can’t be too confident,” said NU coach Edjet Mabbayad after the Lady Bulldogs swept their first two opponents in straight sets to claim a share of the Group A lead with FEU.

“I always tell the players that whichever team we’re facing, we have to give our 100 percent.”

The Lady Tamaraws, who survived a tough challenge from the Lady Chiefs last week, head into their third assignment heavily favored over tailender Polytechnic University of the Philippines at 3 p.m.

In Group B, Technological Institute of the Philippines target a second triumph versus struggling San Sebastian at 5 p.m.

Only the top four teams in each group will advance to the next round.

Jaja Santiago, who shone in the Lady Bulldogs’ back-to-back whipping of University of the Philippines and University of Batangas, go for another big showing with older sister and guest player Dindin Santiago-Manabat.

“I always tell them to just play their game, to just show what they do in practice,” said Mabbayad, who’s also banking on mainstays Myla Pablo, Aiko Urdas, Ivy Perez and Jorelle Singh.

The Lady Chiefs, though, vow to rebound after the four-set upset loss to the Lady Tamaraws, 25-23, 21-25, 25-21, 25-16, last week.

Even with Danna Henson leading the charge, the Lady Chiefs couldn’t match the fiery outings of FEU standout Bernadeth Pons and guest player Jovelyn Gonzaga as the Lady Tamaraws dealt them their first loss in two outings.