MY OWN PREDICTIONS FOR THE METRO MANILA TEAMS OF SHAKEY's V-LEAGUE, SEASON 7, 1st Conference:

1) SSC-R Lady Stags: For me, they are an all-around team. Why?, because from spiking, blocking, and digging, they have the capacity to do so. They have also efficient guest players such as the crowd favorite Suzanne Roces and the unstoppable attacker Jaroensri Bualee. One thing more, there's also a "Baby Bualee" in the team, in the presence of their team captain, Analyn Joy Benito.

* KEY TO CHAMPIONSHIP: San Sebastian should have the sheer determination in receiving and attacking from start to finish. Mind you, I've seen that during the Game One of the Finals last year.

2) UST Tigresses: Whatever rotation it was, UST still have offense. It's no doubt that UST is still one of the teams to look out for this conference. The double duo (Maizo and Tabaquero), are there to step-up whenever the team needs to uplift their phase of the game.

* KEY TO DEFENDING THE CROWN: Just keep the hot start during the first and second round of eliminations. From there, they will have the confidence to battle it out for the finals.

3) AdU Lady Falcons: Well, there's Jill Gustilo and Angela Benting, but they will need the blocing proficiency of Paulina Soriano. But with their reinforcements of Nerissa Bautista and Charmaine Moralde, for sure the Lady Falcons are so hard to beat. In addition to that, Lizlee Ann Gata is one girl that play 'real' defense inside the court, she's not the Best Receiver for nothing.

* KEY TO CHAMPIONSHIP: Just continue the tight defense, then setter Lourdes Patilano will have to decide of to whom she will set the ball.

4) ADMU Lady Eagles: I think the Lady Eagles have already the courage to go against high-caliber teams such as UST and San Sebastian. With their UAAP Line-UP, and two superb guest players, for sure, Ateneo is one of the contenders this season.

*KEY TO CHAMPIONSHIP: Consistency in their good reception and varied attacks that's the success for the Lady Eagles this time around. Leadership- is still one quality that Ateneo still possess in the likes of Bea Pascual, Kara Acevedo, and veteran/guest player Charo Soriano.

5) FEU Lady Tamaraws: Well, the mainstays are there- Shaira Gonzales, Cherry Mae Vivas, Monique Tiangco, Mary Rose Cabanag, April Jose, and Rose Anne Taganas. I think for FEU, they should focus more on their defense first before generating their offense. Their line-up is still good, but the players should work extra hard in order to boost themselves into the Final 4.

* KEY TO CHAMPIONSHIP: For FEU, just take it one step at a time. For them to do that, just be relaxed (well, not too over relaxed), and focus on their each and every game; That will led them to give their best in winning their games. In addition to that, with the entrance of Rachel Anne Daquis in the second round of eliminations, they will get thier groove again, and prove to their competitors that they really deserve a slot in the Final Four.

6) CSB Lady Blazers: Katty Kwan, Renilyne Agero, and Zharmaine Velez are still improving game per game. Not to mention Giza Yumang, she has been all-out to give CSB a full blast of confidence to the team.

*KEY TO CHAMPIONSHIP: With Rossan Fajardo in their team, she really proves that she can go head-tohead with the other guest players in the league. With strong attacks and continued blocking, for sure the Lady Blazers have a 'say' in battling it out for the goal.

7) LPU Lad Pirates: Here's the thing I've noticed for Lyceum: a) Syvie Artates and Jamie Pena can bring Leadership to the team, b) Nasella Guliman can block well and STEPPED UP their game and, c) Nicollete Tabafunda has a GREAT FLOATER SERVE. If all these are consistent, then Lyceum can be on of the Final 4 Teams.