Lady Stags nail Shakey’s finals slot

SANDUGO-San Sebastian’s Thai reinforcement Jeng Bualee (left) and Nene Bautista combine at the net to thwart an Ateneo offensive in yesterday’s Game 2 of the best-of-three semifinal series at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan. The hardworking tandem worked with the Lady Stags’ other standouts to sweep the Lady Eagles. EDWIN BELLOSILLO

MANILA, Philippines—The no.1 team also claimed the first championship berth.

Sandugo-San Sebastian cruised its way to the title round after overwhelming a depleted Ateneo squad, 25-9, 25-14, 25-19, in Game 2 of the Shakey’s V-League Open semifinals Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Thai ace Jeng Bualee fired all her 22 points off kills, while Suzanne Roces and Angela Benting combined for 18 to power the Lady Stags to a 2-0 sweep of the best-of-three series.

“It’s expected because they (Lady Eagles) lacked players, so we took advantage,” said Sandugo coach Roger Gorayeb. “Psychologically and physically, we feel no pressure going into the Finals.”

The Lady Stags, who dominated the eliminations by winning all but one of their 10 assignments, will shoot for the crown against the winner of the other semifinal showdown between defending champion Philippine Army and Cagayan Valley.

Just like in Game 1, the Lady Eagles played minus several players, including top scorers Alyssa Valdez and Fille Cainglet, who had school commitments to attend.

The Lady Stags took off with a huge 13-3 lead in the first set before wrapping it up with a lopsided 25-9 decision.

In the next frame, the Lady Stags did more of the same before the Lady Eagles put up some semblance of a fight in the third set where they tied the match, 12-12.

Utaiwan Kaensing chipped in seven points for the Lady Stags, while Rubie de Leon had four of her six points on service aces, including two straight that wrapped up the second set.

The Lady Stags also blasted the first-conference champion Lady Eagles, 25-13, 25-20, 25-9, in Game 1 Wednesday night.

Cagayan pulled off an upset in their own series as the Rising Suns stunned the Lady Troopers, 25-20, 25-15, 25-20, in the opener.