Lady Pirates enhance bid for semifinals

Lyceum leaned on its rock-solid defense as it smashed Far Eastern University, 25-21, 25-21, 25-18, yesterday and boosted its bid for the last semifinal berth in the Shakey’s V-League before a boisterous Lyceum Gym crowd.

Angelica Bigcas was the Lady Pirates’ source of strength as the Amerasian from Malvar, Batangas peppered the Lady Tams with a barrage of solid kills that sealed Lyceum’s third victory in eight outings at the close of its elimination round campaign in the event sponsored by Shakey’s.

Lyceum, however, must hope for a La Salle victory over Letran (2-5) at the close of the elims tomorrow to clinch the last semis slot.

La Salle got back at erstwhile unbeaten University of Santo Tomas over the weekend with a stunning five-set win to gain a share of the lead with its victim on 6-1 (win-loss) slates.

Expected to join the Lady Archers and the Tigresses in the semis are the San Sebastian netters, who tote a 3-3 card with two games left to play, including one against UST at presstime.

But a victory by the Lady Knights over La Salle would forge a two-way tie for fourth. In this case, Letran advances by virtue of its two victories over Lyceum in the elimination round.

"Masaya kami dahil malaki pag-asa namin na makapasok sa semis," said Lyceum coach Emil Lontoc. "Ipagdadasal na lang namin na manalo ang La Salle sa Letran sa Huwebes para makapasok na kami."

Packing her kills with power and athleticism, Bigcas was an unstoppable force in the first two sets with a superb all around play before the group of Dahlia Cruz, Jenny Rose Garcia, Lizel Paulo, Maria Rizza Rubio and Jane Kathleen Jarin delivered the finishing blows in the final set.