SSC spikers foil Stingers for 3rd win

MANILA, Philippines – Jeng Bualee produced another 25-plus effort, firing 31 kills to power San Sebastian College past a tough University of St. La Salle, 25-18, 20-25, 25-19, 25-21, to regain the solo lead in Group B of the ninth Shakey’s V-League Presented by Smart at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

The Thai ace unloaded half of her output in the last two sets as the Lady Stags scuttled the Bacolod-based squad to formalize their stint in the quarters with a third straight win. Bualee also shone in non-scoring department, coming up with 10 digs and 10 receptions.

Analyn Benito backed Bualee’s sterling game with an equally impressive 23-hit effort, highlighted by 19 kills, while Rubie de Leon kept SSC’s plays in motion with 54 excellent sets.

Patty Orendain, Jovelyn Gonzaga and June denial combined for 37 points for the Lady Stingers, who proved to be a tough contender despite its opening game setback in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Mikasa and Accel.

Earlier, Far Eastern University put on a virtual volley clinic against a struggling Southwestern University side, cruising to a 25-9, 25-8, 25-15 victory to get back into the thick of things.

The Lady Tams stamped their class early with Thai guest player Eve Sanorseang, Rosemarie Vargas, Wenneth Eulalio and Marie Basas combining for 44 hits to completely outplay the Lady Cobras and fashion out the 64-minute romp.

It was a big comeback for FEU, which dropped its opening game match to defending champion Ateneo in Group A although the Lady Tams need to hurdle at least one of its last two games to clinch a berth in the quarterfinal round of the season-opening tournament of the league organized by Sports Vision.

Sanorseang converted 11 spikes from 26 attempts marred by three faults while Vargas delivered 12 kills from 32 tries against four faults. Sanorseang also had three blocks and made one service ace.

So lackluster was SWU’s offense that Rapril Aguilar’s five-kill performance, marred by three faults, stood as the team’s best. Guest player Danika Gendrauli struggled for four while Marlyn Llagoso and Nica Gulliman could only combine for just five hits against the Lady Tams’ tough net defense and superb reception.

In all, FEU dished out 45 spikes, three times more than SWU’s measly 13-hit output. The Lady Tams also had 39 excellent sets compared to SWU’s 13.