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V-League: Ateneo, Perpetual clash for Group A lead
Ateneo and Perpetual Help clash today in a duel of fancied teams in Group A while four winless squads collide in a pair of crucial matches as action in the ninth Shakey’s V-League Presented by SMART heats up at The Arena in San Juan City.
The defending champion Lady Eagles try to formalize their stint in the quarterfinal round as they tangle with the reigning NCAA titlists Lady Altas in the 6 p.m. main game of another explosive triple-bill.
Focus will also be on the NU-Southwestern U clash at 2 p.m. and the 4 p.m. match between Letran and University of St. La Salle, four teams trying to stay in the quarters race in their respective divisions.
With two defeats, the Lady Bulldogs need no less than a win to remain in the hunt with the top four teams from each group after the single round elims advancing to the next round.
Letran, with a 0-2 card, is likewise in a must-win situation against USLS in Group B paced San Sebastian with a 3-0 slate and former six-time winner UST, which swept its first two games.
Perpetual Help struggled past National U in five sets last week but the Lady Altas are expected to have settled down with their game in time for their keenly awaited clash with the Lady Eagles.
Ateneo hurdled Far Eastern U and NU, both in four sets, to assure itself of at least a playoff for the last quarterfinal berth in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.
The Las Pinas-based squad hopes to neutralize the power-hitting Fille Cainglet, who emerged as Ateneo’s top spiker with a 30-hit effort in two games, along with Alyssa Valdez, Dzi Gervacio, Gretchen Ho and Thai import Phee Nok Kesinee.
But Perpetual also boasts of a slew of spikers, led by Sandra delos Santos, April Sartin, Honey Tubino and Thai reinforcement Pornpimol Kunbang, ensuring another thrilling encounter between two teams tipped to contend for the first conference crown of the league organized by Sports Vision and backed Mikasa and Accel.
