Tigresses book 1st semis berth

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas recovered from an opening set setback as it swept the next three to essay a 14-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-20 victory over Adamson and clinch the first semifinal berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 6 at The Arena in San Juan late Friday.

Skipper Aiza Maizo fired a season-high 27-hit output while Maika Ortiz and Angeli Tabaquero backed her up with a combined 25-point output as the Tigresses bounced back from a 1-3 loss to the San Sebastian Lady Stags last Tuesday to formalize their stint in the next round.

The first conference champions, who swept the elims of the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza, try to firm up their hold of the top spot as they take on the struggling St. Benilde Blazers at resumption of the quarterfinal round action today.

Gametime is at 4 p.m. with the Lady Blazers, down at 3-6, fighting to stay in the hunt for a playoff for the last semis seat.

Far Eastern U, meanwhile, goes for the second semifinal slot as it battles an on-and-off San Sebastian side in the 6 p.m. main game of a twinbill organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa, Mighty Bond and OraCare.

The Lady Tams, led by league’s current scoring leaders Cherry Vivas and Shaira Gonzalez, downed the Blazers, 3-1, also last Friday to hike their record to 7-3, needing just a win in their last two games to secure a berth in the Final Four.

The Stags looked so impressive after stopping the Tigresses’ stirring seven-game run, 3-1, last Tuesday but struggled against the Ateneo-OraCare Lady Eagles and dropped a 1-3 decision last Friday.

San Sebastian and Ateneo are tied for third with 6-4 slates while Adamson dropped to 5-5 but still in the race for the fourth and last semis berth heading into the last three playdates of the quarters.

Games can be viewed live on webcast on www.v-league.ph while NBN-4 will telecast the matches on a delayed basis with the UST-St. Benilde duel to be shown Monday starting at 2 p.m.