Lady Stags open quest for 7th title vs Lioness

MANILA, Philippines - Defending women’s champion San Sebastian College starts its bid for a seventh straight championship when it tackles host San Beda College at the resumption of the National Collegiate Athletic Association volleyball tournament at the San Beda Gym in Mendiola, Manila.

The Lady Stags, led by two-time Most Valuable Player awardee Joy Benito and teammates Karen Berbano, Dafna Robiños, Bea Uy and libero Mae Crisostomo, trade volleys against the Lioness at 9 a.m., right after the clash of their junior teams at 8 a.m.

The Recto-based volleybelles will be playing minus Bonsai Miraso and Bamcie Belen, who graduated last year, and ace hitter Elaine Cruz, giving the Lioness an even chance of pulling an upset.

The Lioness, who will be led by mainstays Cherry Quizon, Coline Malana, Janine Marciano, Ces Molina and Mona Diolazo, will be eyeing a better finish after making it to the Final Four last year after a long wait.

In the only other women’s tiff, last year’s runner-up Letran Lady Knights test the mettle of the JRU Lady Bombers at 1 p.m. The Knights, who made it to the finals but lost to the Lady Stags in the title match, will parade an almost intact team led by Gena Andaya, Manel Carolino, Lalaine Villarin, Sarah Espelita and Justine Mae Tadeo.

San Beda and San Sebastian men’s squads also clash today at 10 a.m., while Letran and JRU’s men’s teams collide at 2 p.m.