Lady Stags seek last V-League semis berth
INSPIRED by Thai Jeng Bualee’s recent record outing, San Sebastian vies to complete the Final Four cast when it tackles National University today in the Shakey’s V-League at the Filoil Flying V Arena.
The Lady Stags, fresh from a five-set win over the Far Eastern Lady Tams Sunday where Jeng unloaded 37 points, take on the Lady Bulldogs at 2 p.m. with National U in a must-win situation to keep its own semifinal bid alive.
University of Santo Tomas and Perpetual Help, both assured of semifinal berths, dispute solo second at 4 p.m.
Ateneo stretched its unbeaten run to seven games after stunning the Tigresses, 7-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-20, on Sunday night.
Fille Cainglet fired 17 points and Alyssa Valdes delivered 13 to fuel the Lady Eagles’ comeback from an embarrassing first-set loss.
The Lady Eagles dealt the Tigresses their first loss and sent the powerhouse squad down to a share of second with the Lady Altas at 4-1.
“When we were down big in the first set, I told my teammates that we should keep fighting,” said Ateneo team captain Gretchen Ho.
The Lady Stags later hacked out a 25-19, 19-25, 25-16, 23-25, 15-5 win over the Lady Tams to secure at least a semifinal playoff slot.
San Sebastian’s veteran Thai import went on to finish with the second highest individual score in league history, behind the record 38 set by Sontaya Keawbundit in 2010.
“We have no other go-to person but Jeng,” said SSC coach Clint Malazo. “Some of our locals like (Joy) Benito helped us.” With reports from Rodolfo Lozada and Randolph Leongson
