Ateneo, NU seek second serving vs Shakey’s V-L foes

ATENEO expects Thai ace Jeng Bualee to make an instant impact when the Lady Eagles clash with University of Santo Tomas in Game 1 of their Shakey’s
V-League semifinal series today.

As one of the league’s go-to imports, Bualee may just be the extra firepower the Lady Eagles need against the surging Tigresses in the 2 p.m. match at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

National University, the only unbeaten team in the tournament, tangles with Adamson in the other best-of-three series at 4.

UST coach Odjie Mamon knows the Lady Eagles will come out firing despite the late inclusion of Bualee since the power-hitting Thai had played under coach Roger Gorayeb in previous seasons.

Bualee, the league-leading scorer with 158 points, joined the Lady Eagles last week right after her San Sebastian team bowed out of the quarterfinals.

“Defense will always be the deciding factor,” said Mamon as his Tigresses try to deal with Bualee and Ateneo’s other star hitters led by Alyssa Valdez, Rachel Daquis and Fille Cainglet.

The defending champion Lady Eagles downed the Tigresses in straight sets, 25-23, 25-23, 25-20, in their lone elimination meeting that saw Valdez drill a game-high 22 points.

But the Tigresses, bannered by Aiza Maizo and Maika Ortiz, hope to come out with a much improved form following their 3-0 quarterfinal sweep in Group B.

“We’ll be changing our substitution pattern and our players will be rotating more quickly,” said Mamon, who is also relying on Carmela Tunay, Maru Banaticla, Judy Caballejo and setter Rhea Dimaculangan.

The Lady Bulldogs, meanwhile, hope to sustain their streak with towering sisters Dindin and Jaja Santiago, Myla Pablo, Jennylyn Reyes and Rubie de Leon.

NU coach Edjet Mabbayad, though, doesn’t want his wards to come out too confident even if his players pace five statistical categories.

“When we go out there, it’s fair game because the ball is round and anything can happen,” said Mabbayad.

And the Lady Falcons, led by Angela Benting, Pau Soriano, Shiela Pineda, did give them a tough time as the Lady Bulldogs rallied to a 16-25, 25-14, 25-22, 25-15 victory in their elimination encounter.