Pirates oust Lady Jaguars

MANILA, Philippines - Lyceum cruised to a 25-17, 25-20, 25-18 victory over University of San Jose-Recoletos to oust the Lady Jaguars while giving St. Benilde a free ride to the quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Thai import Porntip Santrong atoned for her disappointing game against Ateneo as she unloaded 16 points, while guest player Dahlia Cruz and Joy Cases added 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Lady Pirates in Group B.

Lyceum thus finished the single round elims of the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and presented by PLDT MyDSL with a 3-1 slate.

“The morale of the team was a bit low after the loss to Ateneo, so we tried to ease up the training to take their minds off the loss,” said Lyceum coach Emil Lontoc, referring to the Pirates’ straight-set loss to the Lady Eagles last Tuesday.

The Lady Jaguars thus closed out their stint in the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa and Mighty Bond with a 0-4 card as they joined the FEU Lady Tams on the sidelines.

Abigail Praca knocked in 12 hits but lacked the needed support from mainstays Rachel Singson, Joy Bonita and guest player Michiko Castañeda, who combined for only 11 hits.

In the second game, University of St. La Salle wore down Southwestern U, 25-23, 19-25, 25-22, 25-18, to take the No. 3 spot in Group A.

Sheryl Denila and Michele Laborte scored 17 and 16 hits, respectively, as the Lady Stingers finished with 2-2 card.

The Lady Cobras settled for the No. 4 spot with a 1-3 slate and will join three other teams in Group B in the next round.