Lady Pirates defuse Tams fightback

MANILA, Philippines - Former MVP Mary Jean Balse unleashed a 27-hit game as she powered Lyceum to a 25-17, 23-25, 25-13, 25-21 victory over Far Eastern U in the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 second conference at The Arena in San Juan late Thursday.

Joy Cases and Dahlia Cruz also combined for 33 points as they backed Balse in thwarting the Lady Tams’ rally in the fourth set for the win that leveled the Lady Pirates’ slate at 1-1.

Balse finished with 25 kills while Cases added 16 attacks for the Lady Pirates, who drew points from just five players.

Cases wound up with 18, Cruz added 15 hits and Jamie Peña and Nikkie Tabafunda tossed in six and one, respectively.

Guest players Michelle Carolina and Rachel Daquis paced FEU with 16 and 13 points, respectively, while seven players combined for 23 points. But the Lady Tams just couldn’t pull it off and dropped to 0-2.

I just told them to stay focused and not be bothered by their mistakes,” said Lyceum coach Emil Lontoc, whose wards dropped a straight-set loss to San Sebastian-Excelroof in last Sunday’s opener of the season-ending tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

The Pirates pounced on FEU’s miscues and service errors to take the opening set.

But the Tams struck back in the next frame behind Monique Tiangco and guest player Michelle Carolino to draw level.

Cases and Cruz took over for Lyceum in the fourth as they came up with four hits to shove the Lady Pirates to a 9-6 lead. They kept the pressure on the Tams with their quick plays and superb net defense.

FEU closed in last at 21-24 on a Rachel Daquis hit but the Lady Tam guest player committed a net violation, enabling the Pirates to clinch the win in just 52 minutes.

It was FEU’s six straight loss, counting the four in the first conference of the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa and Excelroof.