La Salle spikers eye 3rd straight crown

Barring any problem in the selection of guest players and injuries to its key players, De La Salle University could well be on its way to a third straight Shakey’s V-League crown.

The Lady Archers, champions in the last two conferences, shoot for another one as they parade an almost intact line-up when the second conference of the V-League presented by Shakey’s unfurls on April 22 at the Blue Eagle gym in Loyola Heights.

Sure, Maureen Penetrante, who graduated last year, will not be around this time for La Salle but the Taft-based spikers remain the team to beat in the tournament that has lured three new schools from the UAAP and NCAA.

"We lost one important player but the core of the team is still there. So I think we still have a strong chance of winning another championship," said La Salle assistant coach Oliver Almadro, speaking in behalf of head coach Ramil de Jesus.

Almadro said they hope to tap Michelle Carolino again as one of the two guest players allowed in this event sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza organized by Sports Vision Management Group, Inc.

"We hope to get her again as one of our guest players, because she really fits the team well," said Almadro of the high-leaping, power-spiking looker from Agoncillo, Batangas. "But we’re having difficulty getting her because she’s under training right now."

Out to foil La Salle’s bid are Ateneo, San Sebastian College, Far Eastern U, Lyceum and newcomers Adamson, University of the East and Philippine Christian U.

Veterans Desiree Hernandez, Chie Saet, Manilla Santos and Shermaine Penano will spearhead La Salle’s title campaign with Hernandez expected to carry much of the load.

The tall, solid-hitting Hernandez powered La Salle to a UAAP three-peat by trouncing Adamson in the finals last season. She was named the MVP in the process, her second in three years.

The other La Salle spikers are Carla Llaguno, Jacqueline Alarac and the comebacking Michelle Datuin.