V-League: Lady Stags nip Army; Perpetual hangs on

MANILA—American reinforcement Lauren Ford struck for five of the last six San Sebastian points as the Lady Stags pinned a first loss on Philippine Army with a marathon 25-21, 17-25, 25-19, 19-25, 15-12 victory Thursday night at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Returning from a brief rest, the 6-foot-2 Ford keyed the comeback from 9-11 down in the deciding set and lifted the Lady Stags to their fifth win in six games and tying their victims on top at the end of the first round.

After nailing back-to-back kills, Ford blocked Michelle Carolino’s smash at match point as San Sebastian completed the win and atoned for six errors in the fifth set.

“The team just refused to give up,” said San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb. “But we still need to improve if we want to go all the way in the tournament.”

Earlier, Perpetual Help kept its quarterfinal hopes alive with a comprehensive 25-20, 25-23, 25-17 win over Philippine Navy.

The Lady Altas prevailed in 74 minutes against a surprisingly lethargic Navy side and could still gain a playoff for the last quarterfinal berth if Maynilad loses to Air Force in a match being played as of presstime.

Thai import Piyatida Lasungnern played her best game yet for the Lady Altas, finishing with 19 points on 16 kills, while Wirawan Sattayanuchit wound up with 14. Sandra Delos Santos finished with 11 points, including five service aces.

Navy, which took a second loss in six games, came out flat in the opening set and couldn’t seem to squeeze the best out of its top hitters Michelle Laborte, Nene Bautista and Suzanne Roces.

The trio combined for just 33 points as Perpetual’s pint-sized libero Angelique Dionela kept them at bay with 24 excellent digs and receptions.

Bucking an injured shoulder, the 26-year-old Ford, a standout from University of South Carolina, wound up with a team-high 26 points, while Jeng Bualee, who also delivered a decisive kill in the Stags’ fifth-set comeback, contributed 20 in what was billed as a preview of the finals.

Army twice fought back from a set down to tie and looked like it was ready to wrap up the match when it took a 6-3 lead behind Mary Jean Balse’s inspired play.

San Sebastian was pinned to the ropes when Bualee’s spike failed to cross the net for an 8-11 deficit in the fifth set.

But Ford emerged from the bench to score off blocks from Carolino’s attacks, before Bualee tied the game at 13 with a spike down the center.