THE LADY STAGS of San Sebastian will put their winning streak on the line today when they take on a revitalized Ateneo squad even as the Air Force and Maynilad collide for the right to advance in the quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference at the Arena in San Juan City.
The Lady Stags toppled the Lady Eagles in four in the elims last Aug. 9 and went on pocket four more wins, including two in the quarters that put them just behind fancied Army (3-0) going to the last four playdates of the quarters. A victory by SSC in the 4 p.m. match will assure the team of at least a playoff for a Final Four seat and a boost to its keenly awaited clash with Army on Thursday.
But Ateneo is also going flat out to get back at SSC for an all-important victory in its own semis bid in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza. At 1-1, the first conference champions are in third but are chased by Navy (1-2) with Air Force and Maynilad still in the hunt despite dropping their first two games in the single round quarters.
Led by the league’s leading scorer American Lauren Ford and Thai Jang Baulee, the Lady Stags have been dishing out fine form although they had to pull off a five-setter over the Navy side last Aug. 25 to preserve their win run. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio