San Sebastian College poured it all in the fifth set and pulled off a tough 18-25, 25-23, 29-27, 20-25, 15-7 victory over Ateneo for its second straight win in the Shakey’s V-League at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.
Jaroensri Bualee outshone Lithawat Kesinee in a duel of Thai imports, pumping in key spikes into Ateneo’s defense for the crucial points in the decider that lifted the Lady Stags to the victory fashioned out in two hours of high-powered volley action.
It was a great rebound by the Recoletos-based tossers, who fought back with remarkable resolve each time they dropped a set, in the first and fourth sets, while outlasting their rivals in a thrilling, extended third set duel which they barely took, 29-27.
Bualee finished with 29 kills and wound up with 31 points, while Laurence Ann Latigay led the locals with 18 points she highlighted with 16 kills.
Rysabelle Devanadera and Jinni Mondejar, meanwhile, stood at the vanguard of SSC’s defense upfront, each coming up with four blocks while combining for 27 points in a superb all-around game in the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and organized by Sports Vision.
Kesinee, who impressed many when she powered the Lady Eagles to a stirring five-set win over first conference champions UST Tigresses last Sunday, played true to form with 30 points, including 18 attacks, while showing her fine defensive skills with 10 blocks.
But only two locals churned out double-digit outputs for Ateneo with Ma. Rosario Soriano knocking in 14 kills for a total 17-point output and Karla Bello tossing in 10 points.
The victory was San Sebastian’s second straight after stopping Adamson in straight sets last Friday while the loss was Ateneo’s first in two games in the tournament, backed by Mikasa, Accel, 100Plus Isotonic Drink and Active White Skin whitening products.
The SSC-Ateneo match will be shown on NBN-4 starting at 2 p.m. today.
For updates on the country’s premier volley league, features/forum on its top players, complete sked, stats, results and gallery, log on to www.v-league.ph.