Army, Navy lasses trip Shakey’s V-League foes

Photo by OJ Manlapaz, Shakey's V-League Website

MANILA—Army stars Michelle Carolino and Mary Jean Balse peppered Ateneo with attacks as the Lady Troopers downed last conference’s champion, 25-16, 23-25, 25-14, 25-20, Tuesday to move within a win of a sweep of the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference eliminations.

The Lady Troopers streaked to their fifth straight victory by firing 63hits—including a combined 29 from Carolino and Balse—against the Lady Eagles’ clip of just 36 spikes.

The Navy made it a double victory for the military squads as Nene Bautista and Michelle Laborte starred in the Lady Sailors’ straight-set triumph, 25-22, 25-20, 25-16, over the skidding Maynilad in the second match at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Carolino finished with a game-high 20 points and Balse had 18 markers to power the unbeaten Lady Troopers.

But Carolino rued her team’s second-set lapse, where Alyssa Valdez and Fille Cainglet led the Lady Eagles in leveling the match at a set apiece.

“We made some mistakes on defense,” said Carolino, the former league MVP also ranked as an Army corporal. “We lacked communication, but good thing we were able to adjust in the third set.”

Dahlia Cruz and Joanne Buñag also stepped up late in the fourth set, combining for six of the Lady Troopers’ last seven points.

Carolino’s sister and teammate, Marietta, also came through with 11 markers, the same output as Buñag.

Cruz had 10 points, including four blocks, to help the Lady Troopers pin on the Lady Eagles their fourth straight setback.

Bautista delivered with 21 points and Laborte had 17 for the Lady Sailors, who improved to 4-1 to join idle San Sebastian at second place.

The Lady Sailors also spoiled the Water Dragons’ bid to secure the last quarterfinal berth they’re disputing with the idle Perpetual Help.

Ateneo dropped to 2-4, just a win ahead of Maynilad’s 1-4 card.