ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines – Unbeaten teams National University (NU) and Adamson University are brimming with confidence heading into crucial showdowns against separate opponents in the 2017 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Collegiate Conference on Monday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
NU takes on Jose Rizal University (JRU), while Adamson faces off against De La Salle-College of St. Benilde (CSB), with a victory assuring both squads of a spot in the Final 4.
The Lady Bulldogs (3-0) collide with the Lady Bombers at 4 p.m., seeking their fourth straight win and the first semis spot in Group A.
The Lady Falcons (3-0) then hope to match that 4-0 mark as they go up against the Lady Blazers at 6:30 p.m. in Group B.
JRU and CSB are both out of the running for semis spots with 0-3 records, although they are expected to go all out in search of their first win and thus play a spoiler role.
A victory for NU will also give them great momentum heading into a highly anticipated clash against Ateneo de Manila University (3-1) on Saturday.
"My only wish is that no player gets injured and they don't overdo things. They just have to stick to the system we're trying to do. Even with slow increments of improvement, I'll be happy," said NU coach Babes Castillo, who will again pin his hopes on Jaja Santiago, Aiko Urdas and Jasmine Nabor.
Meanwhile, senior high player Princess Robles, who sustained a left ankle sprain on a bad fall after a block in the third set of the Lady Bulldogs' four-set victory over San Sebastian College two weeks ago, is expected to suit up in their last elims assignment against Ateneo.
The Jema Galanza-led Lady Falcons are also on a roll, shocking the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons in five sets, then beating Arellano University and Technological Institute of the Philippines to move closer to a dream semis stint.
The top two teams after the single round will advance to the crossover semifinals with the winners disputing the crown in another best-of-three affair.
In men's play, second-running Far Eastern University (4-1) goes for its fifth straight triumph when it clashes with UP (1-4 at seventh) at 8 a.m.
Lowly teams San Beda College (1-3 at sixth) and CSB (0-4 at eighth) mix it up in the other match at 10 a.m.
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