UST top seed in V-League semis

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas reasserted its supremacy over San Sebastian College, bouncing back from a first-set setback to win the next three for a 19-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-23 decision and the top seeding in the semifinal round of the sixth Shakey’s V-League at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Mary Jean Balse celebrated her birthday by powering the Tigresses to the victory, scoring 18 kills and finishing with 20 points, including a down-the-line hit that dashed the hopes of the Lady Stags and closed out the one-hour, 38-minute encounter.

UST thus swept the quarterfinal round to finish on top with a 5-0 card and will take on the No. 4 team in the semis. SSC faces off with the No. 3 squad in the other best-of-three series of the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and presented by Cherifer.

Defending champion Adamson and Far Eastern U, tied for third with 2-2 cards, dispute the No. 3 spot in the final quarterfinal round playdate tomorrow.

“I told them that we need to win this one though we were only fighting for the seeding. I was satisfied with how they played – service and defense, especially in the second set,” said UST coach Cesael de los Santos.

Earlier, Adamson overwhelmed Univ. of San Jose-Recoletos, 25-12, 25-8, 25-16, to complete the semifinal cast in the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa, Mighty Bond and OraCare.