Shakey’s V-League: San Sebastian dismantles three-time champs UST

MANILA, Philippines – San Sebastian opened up the Shakey’s V-League Second Conference finals with a straight-set 25-21, 25-19, 26-24 win over University of Santo Tomas Friday at The Arena in San Juan City. San Sebastian propped up its own title bid moving a game closer of claiming its first ever Shakey’s V-League crown. The Lady Stags used the full power of their offensive might in the first two sets then capitalized on the absence of Mary Jean Balse in the third to come back from a 21-17 hole and post the victory. San Sebastian also surprised the spectators with their defense, the department which many believe was UST’s territory, with guest player Suzanne Roces and Jinni Mondejar completing a kill and a block that gave the Lady Stags the last two points to end the tightly-fought contest in 77 minutes. “We didn't do anything special but we took advantage of (Mary Jean) Balse’s absence in the third set," said SSC coach Roger Gorayeb. “We struggled in reception and defense in the third but we regrouped in time." San Sebastian tries to wrap up the best-of-three title series on Sunday in the same venue. In the battle for third, Neriza Bautista scored 32 points to lead the Adamson Lady Falcons to a grueling 25-15, 21-25, 24-26, 32-30, 15-10 triumph over the La Salle Lady Archers to likewise gain the lead in their best-of-three face-off. Meanwhile, Laurence Ann Latigay, the league’s top scorer, was named the Second Conference’s most valuable player in a ceremony before the match. Latigay, a two-time NCAA MVP, also bagged the Best Scorer award while teammates Rysabelle Devanadera and Margarita Pepito won the Best Attacker and Best Receiver awards. La Salle’s Jacqueline Alarca was given the conference’s Best Blocker, Aiza Maizo of UST earned the Best Server plum, Adamson's Janet Serafica bagged the Best Setter title and Lizlee Gata of Adamson was named the Best Digger. – GMANews.TV