Perpetual stops Navy, stays alive

MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help staved off outright elimination with a surprise straight-set victory over Philippine Navy, 25-20, 25-23, 25-17, as it closed out its elims campaign with a 1-5 slate in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

But the Altas’ chances of forcing a playoff for the sixth and last quarterfinal berth still hinge on the outcome of Maynilad’s final elims game against Air Force still being played at presstime.

At 1-4, the Water Dragons need to beat the Airwomen to advance and boot out the Altas. But an Air Force victory will force a tie for the last seat between Perpetual and Maynilad, necessitating a playoff.

The sudden death will be played Sunday.

San Sebastian outduelled Army in a thrilling five-set duel between the league’s two fancied teams with the Lady Stags battling back in the decider to pull off a 25-21, 17-25, 25-19, 19-25, 15-12 victory.

American import Lauren Ford scored 25 hits, including four blocks and 21 attacks, the last wrapping up the victory that tied the Lady Stags with the previously unbeaten Army ladies on top at 5-1 at the close of the elims.

Jang Baulee came through with a 20-hit performance while Joy Benito stepped up to fire 13 points for SSC, still in search of a first win in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Accel, Mikasa and Maynilad Water.

Army, which took the even-numbered sets before surging ahead at 11-9 in the fifth, failed to neutralize SSC’s searing fightback and took its first defeat after a sweep of five games.

Rachel Ann Daquis topscored for Army with 20 hits, including 17 attacks, while Mary Jean Balse and Michelle Carolino added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Earlier, Thai imports Piyatida Lasungnern and Wirawan Sattayanuchit finally unleashed the kind of game expected of them, combining for 33 hits as they outplayed the Lady Sailors, who came into the contest riding the crest of a four-game sweep.

Lasungnern fired away 16 kills and Sattayanuchit delivered 12 attacks as Perpetual Help outhit Navy, 48-30, in fashioning out its first-ever win in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.

Meanwhile, the Perpetual-Navy game will be aired on NBN 4 starting at 2 p.m. today (Friday) and on on GMA-7’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA LifeTV and GMA News TV.