Shakey’s V-League: The Conference Quarterfinals Picture

First of all, I’ll try to breakdown the format of the upcoming quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s V-League (SVL) first conference.

The eight surviving teams of the elimination phase received ranking IDs depending on the order they finished in their respective groups. In Group A, the qualified teams are Ateneo de Manila University (4-0), hence 1A, the University of Santo Tomas (3-1)—2A, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas (2-2)—3A and San Sebastian College-Recoletos (1-3)—4A. Group B advanced the National University (4-0)—1B, Adamson University (3-1)—2B, Arellano University (2-2)—3B and the University of Perpetual Help System DaLTa (1-3)—4B.

Group A’s Collegio de San Juan de Letran and Group B’s University of San Carlos-Cebu failed to win a single assignment and have been eliminated.

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Two new groups now emerge for the quarterfinals:

Group I

(1A) Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU)

(1B) National University (NU)

(3A) De La Salle University-Dasmariñas (DLSU-D)

(3B) Arellano University (AU)

Group II

(2A) University of Santo Tomas (UST)

(2B) Adamson University (AdU)

(4A) San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R)

(4B) University of Perpetual Help System DaLTa (UPHSD)

What will happen—beginning Thursday, May 2—is that the members of each group do battle against the teams they have not matched-up against yet. In short, each squad will only have two games each in this quarterfinal round. Only four teams will advance to the semifinals and should there be ties at the end of the quarters, there is a designated playoff day on May 12, Sunday.

Here’s the schedule of games:

This now presents a set of intriguing matches to determine the Final Four for the maiden voyage this tenth season. Also, in this unique format, every victory, every set and even every point now begins to count as tiebreaks using quotients may take place in the event everyone finishes with a 1-1 slate—which is very possible.

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Let’s analyze the eight teams and assess their chances of moving on to the semis. Despite the unblemished records of AdMU and NU, I think their winning streaks could be in jeopardy against the opponents that await them in quarterfinals.

(1A) AdMU

QF#1 vs. (3B) AU (May 2, 4PM)

QF#2 vs. (1B) NU (May 5, 4PM)

Dzi Gervacio is back in town from a family vacation in Italy. She just might suit up for the Lady Eagles in their quarterfinal conquests, but then again she may not. If she does, this only adds more firepower to an already potent frontline consisting of MVP candidate Alyssa Valdez, Fille Cainglet and dazzling guest player (and former Finals MVP) Rachel Anne Daquis. Jem Ferrer is still among the league leaders in setting efficiency and the young core led by libero Den-Den Lazaro is still performing at a high level.

Against the Lady Chiefs, they will have to overcome the tenacity and experience of former league MVPs Nerissa Bautista and Mary Jean Balse and it may be a struggle. Against the Lady Bulldogs, Ateneo has to contend with a severe height disparity as the Santiago sisters have now realized how powerful they truly are.

Valdez has been the key for the Lady Eagles though. Daquis and Cainglet have let her dominate and if the Lady Eagles can vary the attacks and get everyone involved at the right time, Ateneo should see itself through to the semis. It definitely will not be a cakewalk, though.

(1B) NU

QF#1 vs. (1A) AdMU

QF#2 vs. (3A) DLSU-D

What an opening assignment for the Lady Bulldogs to immediately go up against a fellow undefeated squad who also happen to be the conference’s defending champions. But still, you have to look at what the vastly improved NU team has achieved so far under new Head Coach Edjet Mabbayad: best record in Group B, undefeated, Din-Din Santiago in the top three in three different categories and is one of the frontrunners for MVP. It’s not really the inspired play of Din-Din lately that has really been making headlines for the Lady Bulldogs, but their overall team game that has really been at the forefront of their incredible upsurge.

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Rubie de Leon should get props for being at the top of her game at her age. NU’s weakness has always been their setting and de Leon’s presence has made a phalanx of Lady Bulldogs shine very brightly; namely Din-Din, younger sister Jaja, Myla “The Typhoon” Pablo and Aiko Urdas. However, it’s still been the stellar efforts of superstar libero Jen Reyes that has been keeping NU in many rallies where normally the points should already have been awarded to their opponents. Reyes and de Leon are glaring examples of how the most unsung positions in the sport could spell the difference between being a good team and being a great team, and right now, the Lady Bulldogs are on the cusp of being a great team. They may even contend for the title.

(2A) UST

QF#1 vs. AdU (May 5, 2PM)

QF#2 vs. UPHSD (May 9, 4PM)

And now for the darkhorse of the tournament. The absence of Maruja Banaticla and Judy Ann Caballejo (beach volleyball) has hardly mattered to the Tigresses who—believe it or not—are in the process of rebuilding. Their two guest players provide the best transitional tools for Head Coach Odjie Mamon as former league MVP Aiza Maizo and former Finals MVP Rhea Dimaculangan have been very steady, but have remained within their roles of initiators of tasks for the core to finish.

Pam Lastimosa, Carmela Tunay and Maika Ortiz have shown that the future of UST volleyball is very much colliding with the present as the team has shown its character time and time again, although embattled at times. The rites of passage continue for the squad as they battle UAAP nemesis Adamson and NCAA defending champions Perpetual Help in their two quarterfinal assignments.

The match against the Lady Falcons will be the true test. Maizo and Adamson reinforcement Angela Benting may cancel each other out in terms of points output, so it will be the job of the youngsters to step up. If they can, they will advance to the Final Four—something they failed to do for the first time in eleven years in the last UAAP season.

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(2B) AdU

QF#1 vs. SSC-R (May 2, 2PM)

QF#2 vs. UST (May 5, 2PM)

The good news is the Lady Falcons are the second seeds emerging from their group. The bad news is they probably have the worst schedule of the top four teams.

You know San Sebastian is reeling from almost being eliminated and will hit the ground running at the start of the quarterfinals. Adamson will feel this early.

But the great thing about the Lady Falcons is that they are now beginning to play at a level that is above themselves. Angela Benting’s presence as both their guest player and assistant coach have energized one of the scrappiest teams in the league and with Pau Soriano and “The Franchise” Sheila Pineda meshing well with Benting, the quickness and ferocity of the Adamson attack is now in full swing. May Macatuno has matured a lot since she first made her SVL debut about three years ago and rookie Mylene Paat has helped add a bit of height in the Lady Falcons’ usually weak frontline defense. They’ll have to be in their “A” game if they want to overcome an angry San Sebastian squad and a resurgent Tigresses team. They may get one victory in the quarterfinals, but will that be enough? I have a feeling it may come down to a bounce or two in the breaks department. Tough schedule for Adamson.

(3A) DLSU-D

QF#1 vs. NU (May 7, 4PM)

QF#2 vs. AU (May 9, 2PM)

In the case of the Lady Patriots, their schedule is strange; they get a nine-day break then play two games in 46 hours.

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Chi Saet is not in the roster. She is fulfilling her obligations as a coach in an ongoing collegiate league. Sophomore Mariel Desengaño started in her place in their last game—and ended up being feted as Player of the Game in a straight sets triumph over former champions San Sebastian. Her defense was a key in that game delivering on five block points to go along with five attack points and two service aces… Hold on, she’s a SETTER! Another additional weapon for Head Coach Darwin Campana as the bombs of Iari Yongco, Monique Tiangco and guest player Jen Manzano continue exploding for a surprisingly potent DLSU-D offense. Another sophomore in 5’11” Cherry Rose Nunag adds another dimension to what is shaping up to be an upset-ready line-up for the defending NCRAA queens.

However, they still need Saet back in harness if only to get respect from both the opponents (fear) and themselves (faith). It’ll be tough to duplicate the win over the Lady Stags without Saet, and if she can’t make it back in time, it could be major a uphill climb for the Lady Patriots.

(3B) AU

QF#1 vs. AdMU (May 2, 4PM)

QF#2 vs. DLSU-D (May 9, 2PM)

This rookie team in the league has been the biggest surprise so far. It always helps that they have two former league MVPs in Mary Jean Balse and Nerissa Bautista, but it has actually been the regulars that have stepped up a lot—led by the exquisite leadership of sophomore setter Diane Ticar. Able support from former UAAP starters Danna Henson (FEU) and Elaine Sagun (NU) have now made the Lady Chiefs one of the most successful first-timers in league history.

But all that success will be for naught if they can’t propel themselves to the Final Four. The match-ups they have in the quarterfinals, however, put them on almost even keel with their upcoming opponents. Against Ateneo, their guest players have enough experience points to offset the Daquis-Cainglet combo, however, containing Alyssa Valdez will be a tall oder. This means that they have to look for other ways to win against the Lady Eagles and Head Coach Obet Javier will have a few sleepless nights from now until gameday to come up with something solid. A win against the Lady Patriots, though, could just give them a fighting chance of advancing.

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Whether they make it or not, Arellano has attained so much from a learning standpoint that this can only translate to a more inspired campaign in the upcoming NCAA wars.

(4A) SSC-R

QF#1 vs. AdU (May 2, 2PM)

QF#2 vs. UPHSD (May 7, 2PM)

Obviously, this is not the same Lady Stags squad we’re accustomed to watching. The departure of Joy Benito ends an era of dominance, not only in the NCAA, but also in the SVL. Yes, they still have the services of two former league MVPs in Thailand’s Jaorensri Bualee and Suzanne Roces but that’s pretty much all they have left.

Gretchel Soltones, the proclaimed second-coming of former Lady Stags star Luanne Latigay is coming off an injury and could provide a handful of points here and there but there is almost nothing left in this line-up that is going through a major transitional phase. Their second assignment against NCAA rival UPHSD could be their best chance to register a victory in the quarters, but with the Lady Altas almost at full rhythmic strength, San Sebastian will require a series of minor miracles to continue their tradition of being a Final Four contender.

Bualee and Roces are proven winners. This team will not go down without putting up a rugged fight.

(4B) UPHSD

QF#1 vs. SSC-R (May 7, 2PM)

QF#2 vs. UST (May 9, 4PM)

Their schedule allows them to get a lot more practice time in, watch and scout the opposition and prepare a gameplan.

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The Lady Altas—or The Perps—have had a rocky start to their SVL 2013 campaign. First a shake-up in the coaching staff, followed by several off court distractions and the non-appearance of reigning league MVP Sandra de los Santos. De los Santos did rejoin the team in their second game of the eliminations but she was undoubtedly far from game-shape. Slowly, however, Sandra has gotten her legs back under her and if their last game against Adamson is any indication of where she is in terms of her conditioning, she’ll be at full strength come the quarterfinals.

They might pull off a win against San Sebastian but against UST, they will have to be almost flawless. Jane Diaz, April Sartin and Royce Tubino have been having a roller coaster start to the season so far and veteran reinforcement Joy Cases has been sporadic at best. If the Perps can put some consistency together to match the talent they already know they have, then the Tigresses could have their hands full.

It still looks as though the pieces have yet to come together for the Lady Altas, and maybe next conference could have them performing more towards the level we all know they can play in. For now, they’ll need a quotient and quite a fair amount of luck to advance, if ever.

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There’s still so much volleyball to be played and although Ateneo, NU, UST and Adamson look to be shoo-ins to make it an all UAAP Final Four, there still could an upset—or two—waiting in the horizon. One thing’s for sure, from here on in the level of play will intensify and the San Juan Arena will be rocking.

See you at the games.

Follow Noel Zarate on Twitter (@Noel Zarate)