UP drubs SSC, makes semis

SHAKING off self-doubt in the closing sets, University of the Philippines demolished San Sebastian, 25-17, 23-25, 25-5, 25-18, to clinch a semifinal berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference yesterday at Philsports Arena.

“I’m happy because they did it in a crucial match,” said UP mentor Jerry Yee after his Lady Maroons joined early semifinalists National University (4-1) and Far Eastern U (3-1).

Although the Lady Maroons commanded the opening frame where they led by as many as six, the Lady Stags clawed back behind last conference’s MVP Grethcel Soltones to even the match at 1-1.

“We lost our composure and doubted ourselves,” admitted UP veteran Kathy Bersola. “We tried to catch up but we fell short.”

While past games had them folding, the Lady Maroons rebounded in a big way this time as they held the Lady Stags to a conference-low five points in the third set.

“There was pressure, but they still managed to win,” said Yee.

The Lady Maroons sustained the momentum in the next frame, pulling away early at 16-8 on the way to a four-set win that upped their quarterfinal record to 3-2.

Bersola starred with 20 points, including 10 kills and eight of the Lady Maroons’ 10 blocks.

Earlier, Cris Dumago pumped in 24 points as Las Salle outlasted Far Eastern University, 20-25, 25-23, 26-24, 21-25, 15-8, for a 4-1 elimination record. UST downed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-20, 25-12, 29-27.