Quarters action begins

Valdez is expected to play a bigger part for Ateneo in the playoffs. (Photo by Cheng Bigay/MatchPointPH)

By AJ Bolando

Powerhouse teams Ateneo de Manila University and University of Santo Tomas try to extend their winning ways at the start of the quarterfinals of the 9th Shakey’s V-League first conference presented by SMART at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan tomorrow.

The defending champion Lady Eagles swept the eliminations in Group A while the Tigresses, gunning for their seventh title, did the same damage in Group B to carry a perfect 3-0 record into the playoffs.

Out to be the early favorites, the Katipunan-based squad will face dangerous but inconsistent University of St. La Salle (0-3) in the second game of the scheduled triple-bill at 4pm, followed by the matchup between neighboring squads UST and Far Eastern University (1-2).

But expect the Lady Stingers and the Lady Tamaraws to give all their best to keep their flickering semifinal hopes alive.

Reigning NCAA champion University of Perpetual Help (2-1) takes on a rejuvenated Adamson University (1-2) side at the start of the new single round quarterfinals where the top four teams book tickets to the Final Four.

*NOTE: Follow us on Twitter @MatchPointPH for our live tweetcast. You can also catch the games via livestream on www.v-league.ph while the second and third matches will be aired on Monday via AKTV on IBC 13 from 7pm to 11pm.