Lady Stingers edge Blazers in five-setter

MANILA, Philippines - University of St. La Salle-Bacolod turned back College of St. Benilde in a marathon two-hour duel, hacking out a come-from-behind 25-21, 25-27, 18-25, 25-17, 15-11 victory yesterday in the Shakey’s V-League first conference at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

The Bacolod-based tossers outhit the Lady Blazers in a tight fifth-set battle that featured nine deadlocks, taking four straight points, including a drop shot by American reinforcement Jayde Hair for a 13-9 USLS lead.

The Lady Blazers scored back-to-back points from a Charmaine Moralde miscue to close within two but former national youth standout Patty Orendain knocked the last two of her 22-hit output to deliver the win for the Visayan squad.

“They failed to overcome the jitters and made too many service errors and defensive lapses,” said USLS assistant coach Carl Barredo in Filipino. “But I hope they will settle down with the game and improve in our next matches.”

The scrambling win gave USLS a share of the lead with opening day winners Ateneo and University of Perpetual Help in the eighth season of the annual league sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Accel (official outfitter) and Mikasa (official ball).

Skipper Kay Aplasca and Charmaine Moralde came up with 17 and 13 points, respectively, while combining for 31 excellent digs for the Lady Stingers, who are out to improve their sixth place finish last year.

Lyceum fought back from a first-set loss as it swept the next three, foiling CESAFI champion Southwestern University, , 21-25, 27-25, 25-16, 25-15, in the second game.

Joy Cases made 20 kills while guest players Mary Jean Balse, a former two-time MVP, and Dahlia Cruz combined for 31 points to help power the Lady Pirates to a share of the lead.

Rapril Aguilar paced SWU with 17 hits while Danike Gendrauli added 15 points.

Hair, 17, made a good account of herself by chipping in 10 points, including two blocks, while April Hingpit, Floradele Dolar, Royce Quijano and June Denila combined for 24 points.

“She’s still trying to feel his way but I’m satisfied with her game,” said Barredo of Hair, a former standout of the Century High School in Idaho.

St. Benilde moved a set away from clinching the match after a scrambling second set win and a convincing third set romp. But the Lady Blazers failed to neutralize the Lady Stingers’ strong finishing kick.