Far Eastern U stakes its unbeaten run against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in women's division as action in the V-League Collegiate Challenge heats up with the semifinal round beginning on Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Chenie Tagaod, who helped anchor the Lady Tamaraws’ dominant campaign in the elims, gears up for a showdown with Mary Rhose Dapol and the rest of the Lady Altas in Game One of their best-of-three series set at 12 noon.
"As usual pag-aaralan namin 'yung makakalaban namin. Re-review-hin 'yung mga dapat aralin, para 'pag tumuntong kami ulit kami rito, handa ang girls, handa ang coaches, handa kaming lahat," said FEU interim coach Manolo Refugia.
Two programs under seasoned mentor Jerry Yee kick off hostilities at 10 a.m. as University of the East and College of Saint Benilde dispute the other finals berth in their side of the best-of-three playoff in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and sponsored by Bola.TV, Beyond Active Wear, and Mikasa.
The Lady Blazers toppled the UE side, 23-25, 25-22, 29-27, 25-18, in their elims clash last Sept, 10 with Gayle Pascual and the rest of the squad all motivated to do a reprise and seize the lead in the short series.
In men’s play, top seed University of Santo Tomas hopes to sustain its form in the absence of head coach Odjie Mamon, who is with the national team in the Asian Games in China, as it collides with fellow UAAP powerhouse Far Eastern University at 4 p.m.
The Golden Spikers, though, are expected to ride on their six-match streak, including a 25-22, 26-24, 20-25, 25-18 elims victory over their semis opponents with reigning UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez fancied to lead the team's offense again.
Jian Salarzon and the rest of Ateneo de Manila University, on the other hand, mix it up with De La Salle University at 2 p.m. with Blue Eagles also coming into the semis brimming with confidence following their 25-17, 26-24, 25-15 sweep of their arch rivals in the elims two days ago.
