MANILA, Philippines – San Sebastian College prevailed in a duel of Thai imports as it subdued Ateneo-OraCare, 25-17, 25-18, 28-26, to tie defending champion Adamson U in third and enhance its quarterfinal bid in the sixth Shakey’s V-League at The Arena in San Juan City late Thursday.
Bualee Jaroensri bucked a sore foot as she drilled in 21 kills to finish with a stellar 23-point performance, while the SSC locals outplayed their counterparts to complete their straight-set victory over the Lady Eagles.
Ateneo’s Keawbundit Sontaya matched Jaroensri’s 23-point effort, highlighted by 22 attacks, but failed to draw the needed support from the rest of the Lady Eagles with Charo Soriano struggling for a conference-low six-point output.
Jaroensri anchored the win by scoring 10 points in the last set while fellow guest player Suzanne Roces pumped in five of her total 10 hits in that stretch as the Lady Stags roared to their third straight victory after an opening day loss to UST for a share of third with the Lady Falcons.
The Tigresses, seeking their fourth championship in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza, organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa and OraCare, show the way with a 3-0 slate while Far Eastern U totes a 2-0 norm.
Last year’s NCAA MVP Laurence Ann Latigay scored on a hit to force a 26-all count then the Lady Stags racked up two more points, from an attacking error by Ateneo’s Fille Cainglet and a service ace from reserve setter Jennelyn Belen, to complete the sweep.
The Lady Eagles, who dropped to 1-2 for a share of fifth with St. Benilde, actually rallied from eight points down to grab a 25-24 edge but failed to sustain their form and wavered in the stretch.
San Sebastian used scoring spurts and tightened up on net defense to take the first two sets and hold Ateneo-OraCare to less than 20 points.
“Our defense was better compared to our past games so they (Ateneo) we’re not able to drop the ball on us and score easily,” said San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb.