SSC trips Perpetual, faces UST in semis

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian dodged Perpetual Help fightback with a gritty stand in the fifth set to carve out a 25-14, 25-18, 12-25, 16-25, 15-11 victory and arrange a Final Four duel with UST in the ninth Shakey’s V-League Presented by Smart at The Arena late Thursday.

The Lady Stags appeared headed for a rout after sweeping the first two sets but faced a resurgent Perpetual Help side in the next two sets and lost, setting the stage for a decider for the No. 3 spot in the semis.

But the Recoletos-based squad toughened up on defense with Jeng Bualee sustaining her power-hitting ways and taking charge in the clutch to frustrate the reigning NCAA champions and book the win in the event sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

SSC thus closed out the quarters phase with a 5-2 card for No. 3 and a semis showdown with UST, which took the No. 2 spot after disposing of National U in three, also last Thursday.

Perpetual wound up with a 4-3 mark and will square off with unbeaten topnotcher and defending champion Ateneo in the Final Four starting tomorrow.

The semis is a pair of best-of-three series with the winners clashing for the crown in the season-opening conference of the league backed by Mikasa and Accel in another best-of-three affair.

Bualee had a block, a kill and a drop shot to deliver the Lady Stags’ last three points and foil the Altas’ bid to complete a stirring comeback.

Bualee launched 30 kills and made three service aces to finish with 35 points, while Analyn Benito came away with 12 attacks for 14 points and Rubie De Leon chipped in 10 points.

“They kind of relaxed in the third and fourth sets but recovered in time. It was a test of character,” said SSC coach Clint Malazo, whose wards won the first two sets by limiting the Lady Altas to less than 20 points.

NCAA MVP Sandra Delos Santos had 18 hits, including 13 kills and four blocks, while Thai import Kunbang Pornpimol added 16 points and April Sartin added 13 points for Perpetual.