MANILA, Philippines — Steadier when it mattered, San Sebastian nipped Ateneo in a thrilling five-setter Tuesday night to stay unbeaten in the quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 8 Open Conference.
The Lady Stags nearly squandered a two-set lead, before recovering their bearings in the deciding frame to complete a 25-22, 25-16, 24-26, 27-29, 15-9 victory at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
American import Lauren Ford fired 32 points, including five in the fifth set, and Thai import Jeng Bualee contributed 19 as San Sebastian fashioned out its third straight win in the quarterfinal round in an hour and 55 minutes.
It was the second straight five-set win by the Lady Stags, who also did the same trick against Navy last Thursday. And for the second straight game, Ford’s fingerprints were all over the victory.
Unstoppable in the most important stage of the match, Ford scored the last three points for the Lady Stags, who have already locked up a berth in the semifinals, while pinning a second loss in three games on Ateneo.
Air Force, earlier, hammered out a 25-17, 25-17, 26-24 victory over Maynilad for its first win in the quarterfinals.
The Airwomen’s win forced a three-way tie at third among Air Force, Navy and Ateneo. Only the top four teams at the end of the single-round quarterfinals will make the best-of-three semifinals.
The Water Dragons, who remained winless in three games in the quarterfinals, actually threatened to stretch the match to a fourth set when they grabbed a 24-22 cushion on Syvie Artates’ kill. A kill from Patrona and an ace by Amy Guanco tied the set at 24.
Aiza Maizo, who scored three straight points to give the Airwomen a 22-21 lead in the third set, wound up with 15.
The Lady Stags had a chance to wrap up the match in the fourth set when they took a 27-26 cushion on Bualee’s hit.
But the Lady Eagles, showing tremendous resolve, hit back with three straight points, capped by back-to-back kills from Alyssa Valdez to extend the match into a fifth set.