Lady Eagles sink Altas, enter final

MANILA, Philippines - In-form Ateneo went through a couple of wringers but still pulled through to repeat over Perpetual Help, 25-23, 25-11, 25-23, and clinch the first finals berth in the ninth Shakey’s V-League Presented by Smart at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Thai ace Phee Nok Kesinee came away with 17 hits she highlighted with six blocks while Dzi Gervacio and Suzanne Roces scored 10 markers each as the Lady Eagles swept their best-of-three semis series and primed up for their title-retention bid in the season-opening conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

But San Sebastian College came from behind to stun UST in another pulsating five-setter, 22-25, 29-27, 14-25, 25-23, 15-12, and force a sudden death in their own Final Four duel.

Jeng Bualee bettered his 34-hit outing in SSC’s five-set loss last Sunday, pumping in 40 points and keying the Lady Stags’ amazing fightback from 6-11 down in the fifth set for the victory.

The Recoletos-based squad strung up five straight points to draw level then took four of the last five points, aided by two wide attacks by the Tigresses to wrap up the contest marked by power hits and long rallies.