SSC moves to V-League final; UST stalls Lyceum

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian proved steadier in the end as it carved out a 21-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-21, 15-12 victory over Ateneo to advance to the finals of the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Unlike in their straight set victory in the opener of their best-of-three playoff last Sunday, the Lady Stags struggled in the face of the Lady Eagles’ determined stand but survived the challenge in the fourth before pouring it all out in the decider to clinch the win and the series, 2-0.

Suzanne Roces unraveled a gem of a game of 32 hits – a career-high she spiked with 21 kills, four blocks and seven aces, as she upstaged Thai teammate Jeng Bualee to spearhead SSC’s march to its sixth finals appearance in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and presented by PLDT MyDSL.

University of Santo Tomas staved off elimination and stayed in the hunt for a third straight championship as it got back at Lyceum, 25-18, 25-23, 25-22, to force a sudden death for the other finals berth.

Aiza Maizo fired 18 hits while Angeli Tabaquero added 16 points as the Tigresses bounced back from their 30-32, 25-15, 23-25, 25-23, 15-10 loss in Game One Sunday.

UST and Lyceum dispute the other championship berth at 4 p.m. tomorrow.

“We improved on our blocking that was lacking in our last game and they executed the plays very well,” said UST assistant coach Vilet Ponce de Leon, who took over for head coach Shaq de los Santos who had to honor a previous commitment.

The Tigresses, who won the last two conferences of the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa, Accel and Mighty Bond, had seven blocks, including four by Maizo.

Maizo’s running spike and Mary Jean Balce’s service ace capped UST’s sweep of Lyceum.

Joy Cases scored 13 hits while Thai reinforcement struggled for 12 points after a 35-point outburst in Game One for the Lady Pirates.

Bualee knocked down 23 kills and wound up with 24 points while Joy Benito backed them up with 14 hits, the last a drop shot that the Lady Eagles failed to return, ending the thrilling one-hour, 54-minute duel between two of the country’s top volley schools.