SSC raps Perpetual in V-L

MANILA, Philippines — San Sebastian vented its ire on University of Perpetual Help, scoring an emphatic 25-18, 25-17, 25-13 romp to wheel back into contention in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference before a big Sunday crowd at The Arena in San Juan.

The SSC tossers hardly showed the effects of their three-set defeat to the Navy spikers last Thursday, overwhelming the Altas from the start with their power game anchored on superb reception en route to the 58-minute victory.

The Recto-based squad, a seven-time runner-up in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza, produced 45 hits, nearly doubling Perpetual Help’s output, with American reinforcement Lauren Ford and Thai import Jang Baulee firing off 13 kills a piece. Both finished with 17 points.

SSC’s floor and net defense likewise stymied Perpetual’s attack with no Altas managing to churn out a double-digit score. Piyatida Lasungnern, one of the Altas’ two Thai recruits, made just eight hits, including seven kills, while Honey Tubino also had eight hits to emerge the team’s top scorers.

The win was San Sebastian’s second against one loss as it seized solo third behind joint leaders Ateneo and Army (2-0) as the race to the quarterfinal round heat up heading to the last five playdates of the elims.