Shakey’s V-League: Lyceum rallies past Ateneo in 5

MANILA, Philippines—Lyceum pulled off an improbable comeback from two sets down to stun Ateneo, 22-25, 16-25, 25-11, 28-26, 15-9 in the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 second conference Thursday night at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.   Mary Jean Balse fired a conference-best 37 points as the Lady Pirates dominated the final two frames after the Lady Eagles scored only 11 in the third set.   “I reminded the players to just keep on fighting,” Lyceum coach Emil Lontoc said in Filipino.   “Our problem was we couldn’t receive the ball well. We had the advantage in attacks, so I told them if we just do better with our reception and defense, we’d be OK.”   Lyceum, aiming for a second straight semifinal stint, wound up sharing third with Ateneo at 5-3 and remained within striking distance of league leaders San Sebastian-Excelroof (7-2) and Adamson (7-2).   Balse, suiting up as Lyceum’s guest player, tied the league’s second all-time best score set by Adamson’s Angela Benting in 2009 and Ateneo’s Lithawat Kesinee  in 2007.   Ateneo’s Sontaya Keawbundit posted the league’s all-time best score of 38 points in a single game in the last conference.   Balse, a former league MVP, had 32 spikes and five blocks aside from registering 10 digs and the same number of receptions.   Lyceum guest player Dahlia Cruz also came through with 18 points, while team standout Joy Cases added 13.   Jamie Peña, Marie Casanova and Ann Tabafunda also combined for 15 hits for Lyceum.   Ateneo’s Thai import Surasawadee Boonyuen only had 13 points as guest player Alyssa Valdez took over with 17.