All-UAAP Final Four in V-League?

UNLESS the Arellano University Lady Chiefs score big wins in their remaining games, the Collegiate Conference of the Shakey’s V-League looks like it will be an all-UAAP semifinal round.

To date, two-time UAAP champion Ateneo is leading the pack at 4-0 with National University, Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas following closely with 3-1 cards before this weekend’s schedule.

Arellano, at 2-2, has the best chance of catching the fourth spot but has Ateneo as a major stumbling block this Saturday. Their best chance is through winning big against Ateneo, as well as their remaining matches and hope that two of the current leaders stumble along the way.

That’s easier said than done. FEU, NU and UST are beginning to jell with guest players, veterans and rookies.

FEU has Bernadette Pons and Remy Palma along with guest players Jovelyn Gonzaga and Honey Rose Tubino as gunners. NU has the Santiago sisters, Jaja and Dindin, and Myla Pablo while UST has EJ Laure, Pam Lastimosa and Carmela Tunay (if she gets back from her nose injury caused by a collision with a teammate).

There are several cannons to deal with for the teams in the lower half of the totem pole: Arellano, University of the Philippines, De La Salle Dasmariñas, and tournament heartbreak kids College of Saint Benilde.

St. Benilde’s team standing would have been different had it won at least two of the five-setters it lost, especially the one against Ateneo where it had the momentum for most of the way.

It does look like it’s too close to call but Ateneo has a foot inside the semifinal round and looks poised to sew up the first finals ticket. Veterans Alyssa Valdez, Amy Ahomiro and Bea de Leon have found ample support from Jhoanna Maraguinot and setter Gizelle Tan.

To beat Ateneo, an opponent must have a truly spectacular game in the same way CSB had against the Lady Eagles. Teams should also start fast against the Lady Eagles and not simply counterpunch. FEU, UST and NU must set the pace against Ateneo because having to play catch-up is never easy against a good two-way team that can play defense and offense solidly.

At this phase of the tournament, coaches will be challenged to come up with more than the usual reminders of taking care of the first ball and receiving well. Those coaching points are important but you would have thought this should be automatic for players by now and at this level of play.

But no, coaches still begin and end their timeouts with this plea of taking care of the first ball. The difference now between making it to the next round and then the finals should depend on how well the second and third touches are played, as well as how the defense holds against cannons and firepower.

Keep the sports talk going on Twitter@sportssev.