Tigresses foil Bualee-led Stags, reach QF

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas bucked Jeng Bualee’s awesome 38-hit game as it fought back from a set down to frustrate San Sebastian College, 19-25, 25-14, 25-22, 25-22, and clinch a berth in the quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 First Conference before a big Thursday crowd at The Arena in San Juan.

Despite allowing Bualee to dominate the net with her power game, the Tigresses still came through with 14 blocks and leaned on their superb reception and clutch hits by Carmela Tunay and Maika Ortiz in the last two sets to pull off the victory in 1:41.

It was UST’s second straight win after dropping a straight-set setback to unbeaten Ateneo in last week’s inaugurals as the six-time champions joined the Lady Eagles (3-0) in the next round of the event sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

San Sebastian, which also bowed to Ateneo in four, took its second straight loss to join Letran in the cellar with the Lady Stags hard-pressed to bounce back against either Letran or La Salle-Dasmariñas to salvage a spot in the quarters of the tournament backed by Mikasa and Accel.

Meanwhile, the UST-SSC game will be shown on GMA News TV Channel 11 at 1 p.m. today with the NU-USC duel will be shown tomorrow, also starting at 1 p.m., according to the organizing Sports Vision.

National University recovered from a poor start to likewise formalize its stint in the quarters, beating University of San Carlos, 23-25, 25-17, 25-10, 25-20, for its third straight win in Group B.

Aleona Santiago continued to dish out top form, firing 17 hits, including 12 kills, three service aces and two blocks, while Myla Pablo and Maricar Nepomuceno combined for 24 hits for the Lady Bulldogs.

Methosheena Bate made 15 hits while Chona Gesulga and Ma. Abigail Praca added 12 and 11 hits, respectively, for the Cebu champions, who reeled to their third straight setback.