Lady Stags overwhelm Airwomen

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian College drew another power games from its reinforcements while its local crew provided a solid backup as it repeated over Air Force, 25-19, 25-15, 25-15, in the quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Thai Jang Baulee and American Lauren Ford combined for 26 kills as the Lady Stags outhit the Airwomen, 39-25, en route to a 64-minute victory to duplicate their straight-set romp in the league’s opener last July 31.

Philippine Navy also reasserted its mastery over Maynilad, scoring a 25-15, 25-23, 25-16 victory in the second game to bounce back in the semifinal race with a 1-1 card.

Former MVPs Nene Bautista and Suzanne Roces rammed in 13 and 12 hits apiece while Michelle Laborte added nine points as the Lady Sailors survived the Water Dragons’ spirited charge in the second set to complete the straight-set victory.

Navy also swept Maynilad in the elims before the Water Dragons outclassed the Perpetual Help Altas in their playoff for the last quarters berth in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Accel, Mikasa and Maynilad Water.

Joy Cases and Syvie Artates each had 10 hits for Maynilad, which lost steam in the third after falling short of its bid in the second frame.

San Sebastian actually had to shrug off a shaky start, fighting back from a 16-18 deficit by winning nine of the next 10 points to take the opening set.

“We kind of always struggle in the early going but overall, we still played well,” said SSC coach Roger Gorayeb in Filipino.

He also credited his locals’ support with Jill Gustilo, Rubie de Leon, Joy Benito and Janette Doria combining for 26 hits, including seven points on serves from Gustilo and Benito.

Ford, the league’s leading spiker and blocker, and Baulee each had 13 kills for the Lady Stags, who notched their fifth straight win since dropping a three-setter to Navy in the elims of the league backed by Accel, Mikasa and Maynilad Water last Aug. 4.

Air Force failed to unleash its vaunted offensive game as former MVP Aiza Maizo was held to just six hits and Cherry Vivas chipping seven attacks, leaving Jennifer Manzano as the lone double-digit scorer for the team with 10 hits.

The Airwomen had more blocks, six against SSC’s four, but struggled on their set up plays and reception, enabling the Lady Stags to dominate the match.

Air Force kept it close at 11-all in the second frame but Ford and Baulee came through with big spikes on quick and set-up plays to establish control.

Meanwhile, the SSC-Air Force game will be shown on NBN 4 starting at 2 p.m. today and on GMA-7’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA LifeTV and GMA News TV, according to the organizing Sports Vision.