Lady Pirates nip Eagles, boost Final Four bid

Lyceum fought back from two sets down, survived a pulsating duel in the fourth then outsteadied Ateneo in the decider to pound out a 22-25, 16-25, 25-11, 28-26, 15-9 victory and enhance its Final Four bid in the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 at The Arena in San Juan late Thursday.

Former MVP Mary Jean Balse uncorked a tournament-best 37-point hit as she outscored Thai import Surasawadee Boonyuen while drawing solid backup from fellow guest player Dahlia Cruz and mainstay Joy Cases to annex the hard-earned win.

Lyceum thus tied its victim in fourth at 5-3, two games behind joint leaders San Sebastian-Excelroof and the streaking Adamson but just one game ahead of the fifth-running Far Eastern U.

Cruz had 17 kills and wound up with 18 points while Cases finished with 13 hits and Jamie Peña, Marie Casanova and Ann Tabafunda combined for 15 hits for the Lady Pirates, chasing their first semis stint in the last four conferences of
the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

Balse came through with 32 spikes and five blocks to spearhead Lyceum’s come-from-behind win. She also made a good account of herself in the non-scoring department, coming up with 10 digs and the same number of successful receptions.

The Lady Eagles had looked forward for a trouble-free match after sweeping the first two sets in contrasting fashions. But they struggle in the third, scoring on 11 points then failed to close out Lyceum in an extended four-set duel.

That gave the Lady Pirates the momentum and the confidence as they outhit the Lady Eagles in the deciding set to clinch the win and resume their semis drive after a roller-coaster campaign in the elims of the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa and Excelroof.

Guest player Alyssa Valdez took over for Ateneo and fired 17 hits while Angeline Gervacio added 14. Boonyuen chipped in 13 hits while Gretchen Ho scored three blocks and wound up with 11 points for the Eagles, also seeking a first semis appearance in the last four conferences.

Adamson beat FEU, 25-23, 25-17, 22-25, 25-17, and SSC-Excelroof turned back National University, 25-15, 25-12, 24-26, 25-13, to remain tied for the lead with 7-2 slates.