Games Sunday (The Arena, San Juan)
2 p.m. – UST vs LPU
4 p.m. – SSC-R vs ADMU

San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb doesn’t mind facing Ateneo in a best-of-three Shakey’s V-League semifinal series that begins Sunday at The Arena in San Juan.

Although he’s also the mentor of the Lady Eagles in the UAAP tournament, the multi-titled coach said his loyalty at this time remains with the Recto-based belles.

“Bahala na sila (Ateneo),” said Gorayeb, who hasn’t missed watching Ateneo games this season.

The SSC belles collide with the Clint Malazo-mentored Lady Eagles at 4 p.m. while the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses and the Lyceum Lady Pirates start their own Final Four series at 2 p.m.

“I’ll have to do my job as a San Sebastian coach,” said Gorayeb, who steered SSC to its fifth straight NCAA title and 23rd  overall last season.

The SSC belles took the No. 1 seeding in Group I by thumping the Adamson Lady Falcons in their sudden death encounter and are taking on the Lady Eagles, who finished No. 2 in Group I.

Seeking a third straight championship, the Tigresses, meanwhile, toppled the Lady Eagles in a thrilling five-setter last Thursday to clinch the top seeding in Group II  and arrange a Final Four clash with the Lady Pirates, who settled for No. 2 in Group I.

In both series, defending champion UST and San Sebastian are favored to prevail owing to their impressive records in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and presented by PLDT MyDSL.

The Tigresses and the SSC belles target to arrange a fifth title showdown in the last six conferences where UST emerged victorious thrice.

But the Recoletos-based spikers are expected to get back at the España tossers although they will have to hurdle first an equally tough Ateneo side to gain  another crack at the championship in the event organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa, and Mighty Bond. (Aj Bolando)