V-League: Lyceum, San Sebastian win semis opener

Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) and San Sebastian College won their respective semifinals series opener in the Shakey’s V-League Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. The Lady Pirates stunned defending champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) in a thrilling five-set contest, 30-32, 25-15, 23-25, 25-23, 15-10, while the Lady Stags downed an undermanned Ateneo side, 25-21, 25-18, 25-18, to move closer of arranging a finals showdown in the first conference of the V-League’s seventh season.

A different Lyceum six came out fighting against UST particularly in the sixth where the Lady Pirates showed toughness to post their first ever win over the Tigresses. Lyceum, prior to Sunday’s win, holds a 0-14 record against UST dating back from the league’s inaugural season in 2004. Thai import Porntip Santrong scored a game-high 35 points and had 27 kills, the last ending the grueling 129-minute contest. Lyceum proved steadier and hungrier in the stretch, scoring the needed points to complete the win. Santrong highlighted her solid performance with seven aces while Nica Guliman and Joy Cases added 17 points apiece for the Lady Pirates. "I know we can beat them. I believe we can beat any team in this tournament," said LPU coach Emil Lontoc in Filipino. The Lady Pirates also dominated the match on the defensive end with 12 blocks compared to the Tigresses’ five. Guliman also had more blocks against the entire UST team with six while Syvie Artates added three. The loss pushed the Tigresses, who ran into a spate of errors in the final set, on the brink of missing the finals for the first time. "I always tell my players to keep their confidence up, even if their shots are blocked, I still tell them to go for the kill to boost their confidence," added Lontoc. Reigning MVP Aiza Maizo led the Tigresses with 26 points, including 24 hits, while Maika Ortiz and Angelie Tabaquero added 10 markers each. Guest players Michelle Carolino and Mary Jean Balse played hurt with the former scoring 14 points. In the second game, San Sebastian scored a straight set 25-21, 25-18, 25-18 win over Ateneo. Thai import Jaroensri Bualee led the Lady Stags with 17 hits, two blocks and an ace. Team skipper Joy Benito added 18 points while guest player Suzanne Roces chipped in 11. "I guessed they (Ateneo) were psychologically down," said Lady Stags coach Roger Gorayeb. The Lady Eagles played minus guest player Charo Soriano, who is out for the season due to an ACL injury. – GMANews.TV