Lady Stags eclipse Suns

SANDUGO-SAN SEBASTIAN fought back in the fifth set to avert a late collapse against Cagayan-Perpetual, 25-23, 25-22, 15-25, 21-25, 15-10, in the Shakey’s V-League Open yesterday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Thai ace Jeng Bualee fired 22 points, the last on an emphatic match-clinching kill, 15-10, as the Lady Stags regained their bearings after blowing a 2-0 set lead.

With the hard-earned win, the Lady Stags climbed to the top at 2-0 while pinning the first loss in two games on the Rising Suns.

Two former MVP also shone for the Lady Stags as Nene Bautista unloaded 16 points and Suzanne Roces tossed in 14 markers.

“We still have to work on our communication inside,” said Bautista, who had a couple of service aces and a block.

Later in the night, Ateneo rebounded from Sunday’s loss to Sandugo with a 25-11, 25-21, 25-19 victory over Philippine Navy to tie Cagayan Valley at 1-1.

Sandugo, the fancied new squad that assembled a powerhouse roster, surprisingly buckled after a 2-0 advantage as Cagayan rallied behind Sandra delos Santos, Honey Tubino and Thai import Sutadta Chuewulim.

The Rising Suns jumped to a 10-3 start and stayed in full control to take the third set, 25-15. By the fourth frame, Chuewulim continued to lead the attack to help forge a decider, 25-21.

But the Lady Stags regained their fiery form, pulling ahead at 9-6 in the final frame after back-to-back kills by Bautista and Kaensing Utaiwan. The Lady Stags then wrapped up the game by drilling six of the last 10 points.

“Individually we’re strong, but we still need time to be cohesive,” said Sandugo coach Roger Gorayeb.

Delos Santos and Chuewulim had 18 points each and Tubino added 17 markers for the Rising Suns.