MANILA, Philippines – Out to prove that it is still worthy of its place in the league, College of St. Benilde battles an American reinforced-University of St. La Salle-Bacolod side while Lyceum tests the mettle of Southwestern University Tuesday in the second playdate of the Shakey’s V-League Season 8 at The Arena in San Juan City. The Lady Blazers won’t just be looking for a victory in their 2 p.m. showdown with the Lady Stingers, but will also try to gain some measure of respect after being initially dropped by organizers from the list of invited teams because of their mediocre showing since joining the event in 2008.
But the Taft-based lasses are expected to have their hands full against a USLS side seeking a rousing start behind a promising American guest player in Jayde Hair.
Hair is a Century High School senior who was on a Christian mission trip when she was spotted by the volley coaches in Bacolod last year.
The 17-year-old Hair helped power the Pocatello, Idaho-based squad to the 4A state championship last year and hopes to do the same with the Lady Stingers, who are bidding to better their sixth place finish in last season’s first conference.
Lyceum, hoping to capture their first ever crown, will be backstopped by former two-time MVP winner Mary Jean Balse and Dahlia Cruz when they face SWU at 4 p.m.
Hoping to improve on their seventh place finish last year, the Lady Cobras are pinning their hopes on guest players Kenyang Garces, Erika Verano and Marlyn Llagoso along with Princess Pido, Danika Gerdrauli and Danna Baguiro.
Francis Santiago, Manila Bulletin
