LYCEUM formally sealed its entry in the Shakey’s V-League quarterfinals with a 25-17, 25-20, 25-22 decision of Far Eastern University in Group A action at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan Sunday. Joy Cases carried the fight for the Lady Pirates with 18 hits, including 15 spikes and two blocks, while guest player Dahlia Cruz added 11 points and Tin Casanova had 10 hits.
In the second game, Ateneo rebounded from a third set loss to outplay San Sebastian College, 25-13, 25-11, 24-26, 25-22, at and complete a four-game sweep of Group A matches. “A win is still a win. The first and second set we played well but in the third set, nagkagulo-gulo,” said former star Charo Soriano, who is still unbeaten as a Lady Eagles coach. “We wanted to a commanding win (in straight sets) but we can only hope for the best. I’m glad that the girls get back with their game in the fourth set,” she added.
Thai import Lithawat Kesinee registered 23 points, including a season-high nine blocks, while guest player Alyssa Valdez added 22 hits, including six service aces, for Ateneo. Fille Cainglet, who dropped 19 points, atoned herself from an attacking error with a match-winning kill for the Lady Eagles to seal the deal.
Finishing its Group A campaign with an even 2-2 record, Lyceum joined Ateneo and Southwestern University of Cebu in the quarterfinals of the event sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and supported by Accel and Mikasa.
By suffering their third straight setback, the Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Stags are in the brink of early elimination. FEU and San Sebastian will face in a ‘do or die’ match in the last day of elims on April 24. Lyceum is just three points away in claiming the match point late in the third set, when guest player Rachel Daquis led FEU’s fightback to force the game’s last deadlock at 22-22.
The Lady Pirates then pounced on the Lady Tamaraws’ errors by Wenneth Eulalio on her service and Daquis’ outside hit to inch closer in clinching the match. A powerful attack by Cases paved the way for Lyceum to complete the straight set win. Coach Emil Lontoc hopes that the Lady Pirates will be a much better team coming to the round.
“Dapat mag-focus muna kami sa receive, defense at blocking. May training kami ngayong Holy Week, maliban lang sa Good Friday, at yung tatlong factors na pagtutuunan namin,” said Lontoc.
Daquis finished with 13 hits, with 10 coming from spikes and three service aces, while Maica Morada chipped in 10 hits for FEU. Playing her last game for the Lady Stags, guest player Cherry Macatangay had 13 points while Elaine Cruz added 11 markers. San Sebastian will field in Fil-Swiss player Jennifer Salgado on its final elimination round match. (TJ)
