National U eyes QF berth vs Perpetual

NATIONAL University shoots for a quarterfinal berth versus Perpetual Help in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference today.

“[The players] tend to relax when they know we have a big lead,” said NU deputy Edjet Mabbayad. “So I need to remind them that our opponents can easily regain their confidence.”

The Lady Bulldogs vie to stay unbeaten in three games in Group A action at 4 p.m. at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Far Eastern U (2-0) and University of Santo Tomas (2-1), both assured of slots in the next round, tangle at 6 p.m. in Group B.

A victory by the Lady Bulldogs will put them in the company of San Sebastian College (3-1) as Technological Institute of the Philippines (2-2) and Ateneo (1-2) remain in the hunt for the last quarterfinal slot in Group A.

University of the Philippines complete the Group B quarterfinalists with FEU and UST.

Even if the Lady Bulldogs will go up against the also-ran Lady Altas, Mabbayad wants his players to stick to their game plan with or without star Jaja Santiago, who apart from NU, also plays for a club team in another tournament.

“We just have to play our game,” said Mabbayad. “No pressure.”

Both the Lady Tamaraws and the Tigresses also want to stay in top form as every game matters in the tournament’s carryover rule.
After the eliminations, the quarterfinalists will carry over their win-loss record against fellow qualifiers.