Stags repel Bulldogs, book trip to semis

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian rebounded from a first-set setback with a sweep of the next three to frustrate National U, 22-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-21, and clinch the last semifinal berth in the ninth Shakey’s V-League Presented by Smart at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Jeng Bualee took charge again for the Lady Stags, firing 30 attacks and finishing with 33 hits while Rubie de Leon and Joy Benito combined for 27 markers for Recoletos-based squad, which improved to 4-2 and joined Ateneo (7-0), UST (5-1) and Perpetual Help (4-2) in the Final Four of the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

NU bowed out with a 1-5 mark.

Foiled by Ateneo last Sunday, University of Santo Tomas vented its ire on Perpetual Help, 25-19, 25-21, 25-20, to zero in on the No. 2 spot in the semis of the tournament backed by Mikasa and Accel.

“We learned from our mistakes against Ateneo, we concentrated on our blocking,” said UST coach Odjie Mamon.

Mary Jean Balse had five blocks and finished with 12 points while Thai reinforcement Kaensing Utaiwan made 11 kills and Judy Caballejo had 10 attacks for UST, which also had nine aces as against Perpetual’s three.

The Tigresses improved to 5-1 heading to the last quarters playdate tomorrow while the Lady Altas dropped to 4-2 in a tie with the Lady Stags.

With Ara Mallare scoring six hits, only four players scored for SSC but the Lady Stags got the job done just the same as Bualee continued to dominate with her power game.

Din-Din Santiago led NU with 18 hits, including 16 kills, while Maricar Nepomuceno and Myla Pablo tossed in 14 and 13 points, respectively. But the Lady Bulldogs failed to completely neutralize Bualee after an inspiring opening set victory. – With report from Roland Quilente