MANILA, Philippines – Unbeaten San Sebastian starts its drive to the finals as it clashes with Perpetual Help today, shooting for its seventh straight victory in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Stags are out to sweep their last three games in a bid to clinch the first finals berth but the Lady Altas are also raring to foil their run in their 12:30 p.m. encounter and bolster their own semifinal bid.
St. Benilde (6-1) and Arellano U (5-1) collide at 11 a.m. in a duel of the league’s top teams.
A sweep of its last three games, including against Lyceum and defending champion St. Benilde, will send San Sebastian straight to the finals with a thrice-to-beat advantage while reducing the Final Four to a stepladder semis.
The second-seeded team, on the other hand, will gain a twice-to-beat edge.
“I’m more concerned on how the team prepare each day and not think of the sweep that much because I don’t like to put pressure on the team,” said San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb.
Reigning two-time MVP Grethcel Soltones is also expected to step up after norming 16 points per game to fall behind the league’s top scorer Jeannette Panaga (17) of St. Benilde.
Perpetual Help, on the other hand, tries to stay in the semis hunt as it seeks to improve its 4-2 record at No. 5.
In men’s action, Arellano (5-1) tangles with St. Benilde (5-1) at 9:30 a.m. while defending champion Perpetual Help (4-1) battles San Sebastian (3-3) at 2 p.m.