Lady Tams oust Stags; Falcons advance

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U bucked the 29-point production of Thai import Jeng Bualee as it hacked out a tough 26-24, 28-26, 22-25, 25-13 victory over San Sebastian College to clinch the last quarterfinal berth in the eighth Shakey’s V-League first conference at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Five Lady Tams churned out double-digit scores to neutralize Bualee’s output with Kathlene Magsumbol coming away with 20 hits, highlighted by three blocks. Skipper Irish Morada and guest player Rachel Anne Daquis each scored 16 points while Rosemarie Vargas and Wenneth Eulalio added 10 hits apiece.

The win was FEU’s first in four matches but it proved enough to net the Lady Tams the eighth quarters berth in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

The loss booted the Lady Stags, runners-up in last year’s two conferences, out of the picture for the first time in 13 conferences since 2004.

Elaine Cruz backed Bualee with 14 hits but the rest of the Lady Stags struggled offensively with Joy Benito scoring six points and Melissa Mirasol and Jennelyn Belen adding five hits apiece.

Earlier, Adamson survived St. Benilde’s tough stand in the first two sets then reasserted its might in the third to complete a 25-20, 25-21, 25-16 victory and formalize its QF stint in the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel and Mikasa.

The Lady Falcons, chasing their second straight crown after winning last year’s second conference plum over the San Sebastian Lady Stags, outhit the Blazers, 48-27, but went through some anxious moments before fashioning out the 64-minute victory.

The San Marcelino-based squad thus matched Perpetual Help and University of St. La Salle-Bacolod’s 3-1 slates after the single round elims with National U, which ended up with a 1-3 card, completing the quarters cast from Group B.

Ateneo swept Group A to lead the eight-team roster in the Last 8 with Southwestern U and Lyceum taking the next two seats with 3-1 and 2-2 marks, respectively.

Michelle Carolino led Adamson’s attack with 14 kills and finished with 17 points while Angela Benting also delivered 14 attacks for the Lady Falcons, who also drew 11 points from Pau Soriano.