Perpetual gains Shakey’s V-League KO duel vs NU

PERPETUAL HELP forged a playoff for the last quarterfinal spot with a come-from-behind 23-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-22 victory over St. Benilde yesterday in the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 Second Conference at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.  With Ateneo downing National University, 25-14, 25-22, 26-24, in the second game, both the Lady Altas and the Lady Bulldogs wound up with 2-5 records at the end of the elimination round. The Perpetual-National knockout match is set Sunday with the winner completing the quarterfinal cast along with San Sebastian-Excelroof, Ateneo, Adamson, Far Eastern U and Lyceum. The Lady Eagles gained a share of the lead with San Sebastian at 5-1. The Lady Altas proved resilient even after dropping the first set and trailing by five points midway in the fourth frame. Reserve player Katherine Claire Bulatao had two important kills as the Lady Altas survived the early storm in the fourth and added to the misery of the Lady Blazers (0-7). Bulatao shattered a 19-all tie in the fourth set before delivering the game-clinching kill for the Lady Altas, who drew double-digit outputs from four players.  Sandra delos Santos paced the Lady Altas with 19 points, while guest player Nica Guliman and Ronnery dela Cruz contributed 15 and 14, respectively.  April Sartin also finished with 12 for the Lady Altas, who stunned Adamson in its debut, before losing five straight until yesterday. “We really want to make an impact here,” said Perpetual Help coach Rafael Miguel. Alyssa Valdez scored 12 points before being rested early in the third set, while Angeline Gervacio and Fille Cainglet contributed 10 points each as the Lady Eagles scored their third straight victory. Ateneo’s Thai import Surasawadee Boonyuen only played in the third set but still finished with nine points to match teammate Gretchen Ho’s output.