Lady Troopers thwart Lady Eagles’ semis bid

PHILIPPINE Army rose from a set down for a 23-25, 25-18, 25-23, 26-24 triumph against an Ateneo squad that missed another shot to nail the last Final Four berth in the Shakey’s V-League Open tournament yesterday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Michelle Carolino hit 24 points, including 18 kills and four service aces, to help the Lady Troopers boost their bid for the No. 1 spot with a 7-1 card.

An Ateneo victory could have completed the Final Four cast after Far Eastern University stunned Philippine Navy, 25-17, 19-25, 25-17, 25-23, to pick up its first victory in nine games.

Ateneo, though, hopes to nail the semifinal berth on its third try tomorrow when it takes on Cagayan Valley.

The Lady Eagles now have a 3-6 card with Navy at 2-7. Already in the next round are Sandugo-San Sebastian (7-1), Army (7-2) and Cagayan Valley (6-2).

Angeline Tabaquero fired the last three points before finishing with 21 markers, while Thai Sangmuang Patcharee, Wenneth Eulalio, Mary Palma and Ivy Remulla also came through with key plays for the Lady Tamaraws.

Jacqueline Alarca and Rachel Ann Daquis teamed up for 27 points for the defending champion Army, which stayed close behind the pacesetting Lady Stags.

Meanwhile, the FEU-Navy match will be showed on AKTV starting at 8 tonight while the Army-Ateneo duel will be aired tomorrow at 7 p.m., according to the organizing Sports Vision.