Ateneo, FEU reach Shakey’s V-League q’finals

MANILA, Philippines–Ateneo and Far Eastern University scored contrasting victories Thursday to barge into the quarterfinals of the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 second conference at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.   Dragged to five sets by a surprisingly lively St. Benilde side, the Lady Eagles kept their composure to come away with a 19-25, 25-18, 20-25, 25-23, 17-15 triumph.   The Lady Tamaraws earlier made it four wins in a row by walloping Perpetual Help, 25-23, 26-24, 25-22.   Both Ateneo (4-1) and FEU (4-2) joined San Sebastian-Excelroof (5-1) and Adamson (4-2) in the next round.   Two quarterfinals spots remain to be contested but with the loss yesterday, Perpetual Help looked headed for an early vacation.   Lyceum can clinch one of the two spots with a win over National U in a match set last night.   The Lady Altas, who dropped to 1-5, need a win against the Lady Blazers on Sunday, and hope that National U loses its last two games to gain at least a playoff for the last quarterfinal berth with the Lady Bulldogs.   The Lady Blazers are already out of contention after falling to 0-6.   Thai import Surasawadee Boonyuen fired 28 points, while Angeline Gervacio and Bea Pascual contributed 12 and 11, respectively, for Ateneo.   Surasawadee delivered an ace for 15-14 before back-to-back kills by Pascual iced the victory in an hour and 54 minutes.   Ateneo needed to rally from a set down twice as St. Benilde, with Giza Yumang and guest player Cindy Optana spearheading the attack, showed marked improvement.