Shakey’s V-League Open quarterfinal round begins

TORRID quarterfinal round action of the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference gets underway today with the Philippine Army taking on Ateneo and San Sebastian squaring off against Navy at the Arena in San Juan City.

The Lady Troopers and the Lady Stags wound up tied after the single round elims and both scored straight-set victories over Navy and Air Force at the start of the quarters to underscore their readiness to vie for the first Open crown. Army held off Ateneo in four in the elims and looked sharp in its 25-20, 25-20, 26-24 conquest of Navy last Sunday to prime itself up against the first conference champions in today’s 2 p.m. match.

But the Lady Eagles are expected to come out strong as they open their quarterfinal bid in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza although they have to double their effort to stop a red-hot Army side.

The Lady Stags, on the other hand, try to get back at the Lady Sailors, who swept them in the elims, although the Recoletos-based squad has picked up its game since that loss, capped by a thrilling five-set win over Army at the close of the elims. In contrast, Navy went on a roller coaster ride, losing to Perpetual Help and finishing with a 4-2 card before dropping a three-setter to the Troopers last Sunday.

But the Sailors rebounded with a big victory over the Maynilad Water Dragons last Tuesday, fashioning out an emphatic 25-15, 25-23, 25-16 romp to even their card at 1-1 in the single round quarters of the season-ending tournament.  /Correspondent Jonas Panerio