Lady Pirates gain quarterfinals, rip Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines - Lyceum overpowered National U in the last two sets and coasted to a 25-16, 23-25, 25-16, 25-13 win as it joined San Sebastian-Excelroof, Ateneo, Adamson and Far Eastern U in the quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 second conference at The Arena in San Juan late Thursday.

Guest players Mary Jean Balse and Dahlia Cruz outhit counterparts Denise Santiago and Mervic Mangui, 30-19, and the Lady Pirates dominated the net with 11 blocks to fashion out the one-hour and seven-minute victory.

The Lady Pirates thus closed out its elims campaign with a 4-3 slate, assuring themselves of a spot in the carry-over quarterfinal round, another single round-robin phase, with the top four teams to advance in the Final Four.

The loss dropped the Lady Bulldogs to 2-5, still in sixth place but whose quarterfinal bid is now threatened by Perpetual Help, which totes a 1-5 slate in the season-ending conference sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

The Altas seek a win against winless St. Benilde while hoping for an NU loss to powerhouse Ateneo to force a playoff for the last QF berth.

Balse, a former MVP in the league organized by Sports Vision, unloaded 20 hits, including 18 hills, while Cruz added 12 attacks and finished with 15 points for the Lady Pirates, who also drew a steady game from Joy Cases, Jamie Peña and Marie Casanova, who combined for 33 points.