Pocari, Air Force duel for No. 1

Laoag, UP dispute last V-L semis berth

MANILA, Philippines – University of the Philippines and Team Laoag clash today in what promises to be a fierce, intense duel for the fourth and last semifinal berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

The Lady Maroons gained a crack at the Final Four by ousting the fancied National U Lady Bulldogs, 25-22, 25-27, 25-13, 25-22, last Saturday, tying the Power Smashers at fourth with 3-3 slates heading to today’s final elims playdate of the season-opening conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

Laoag swept Baguio in its last outing last June 18 with the Power Smashers coming into the 4 p.m. match well-rested and motivated for a possible Final Four stint right on its maiden season in the league where it all started.

Mylene Paat and Jessica Galanza, along with Jovielyn Prado, Katherine Villegas and Wenneth Eulalio hope to come out strong coming off a long break as they slug it out with the young, but gutsy UP side raring to prove its worth.

Laoag actually showed its true potential when it upended powerhouse Air Force in three last June 11, capped by its tough stand in the last two sets, but UP is riding the crest of back-to-back victories, including against NU in a knockout match over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Pocari Sweat tries to complete its sweep of the elims of the tournament backed by Mikasa and Accel as it tangles with fellow semifinalist Air Force at 6:30 p.m. for the top seeding in the Final Four where the No. 1 plays the No. 4 and No. 2 clashes with No. 3 in a pair of best-of-three series.

Both matches will be aired live on ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 23, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

“We don’t really care who we will be facing in the semis, we just want to go there coming off a victory,” said Pocari interim coach Rommel Abella.