THE LADY spikers of the Philippine Air Force and the Navy face one another in a crucial game that will make or break their respective semifinal campaigns even as Maynilad tries to stay alive in the final day of the quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference at the Arena in San Juan City.
Running fourth at 1-2 (win-loss), the Airwomen hope to pounce on the skidding Lady Sailors in their 4 p.m. encounter and assure themselves of a playoff for the last semis seat in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.
At 1-3, Navy is in a must-win situation against a team it beat via a three-set romp in the elims last Aug. 14 although Air Force is coming off a big win over Maynilad last Sunday to revive its own semis bid.
Expect Maynilad to likewise pour it all out against Army in their 2 p.m. faceoff in a bid to keep its slim semis hopes alive.
Winless in three games in the single round phase, the Water Dragons need to sweep their last two games and hope that either two from Ateneo, Air Force and Navy won’t go over two wins to force a playoff for the last semis seat.
Already assured of a stint in the next round, Army might opt to conserve its energy for the tough Final Four battle although the Lady Troopers could still go for a win to clinch the No. 1 spot in the semis. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio