SAN Sebastian made a bold statement as the team-to-beat as they swept Ateneo de Manila at the 7th Shakey’s V-League second conference at the Arena in San Juan.
Thai import Jeng Bualee led the SSC with 20 hits as the team hacked out a 25-22, 25-17 and 26-24 demolition of the Katipunan-based spikers.
Two other players also registered double figures for the Excelroof-backed squad in the person of guest player Suzanne Reyes and Melissa Mirasol, who posted 13 and 11 points respectively.
Ateneo’s Thai recruit Boonyuen Surasawadee topscored for Ateneo with 10 hits while Alyssa Valdez chipped in eight points.
SSC was catapulted to its present status as the league’s main contender after grandslam champion University of Santo Tomas begged off participation to allow its players to rest.
The school retained a clean 3-0 slate while Ateneo, Adamson and National University are tied at 2-1.
Falcons, Bulldogs shine
In the other contests, Adamson relied on guest players Nerissa Bautitsta and Michelle Laborte in the deciding fifth set to edge Lyceum 25-20, 22-25, 21-25, 25-16, 15-7.
It was the Lady Falcon’s second straight win following an embarrassing defeat to Perpetual Help in the opening match two weeks ago.
“We still lack the killer’s instinct, that’s why we had to go through five sets today,” said Adamson coach Minerva Dulce Pante.
Bautista made 28 points, of which 24 came from spikes while Laborte delivered the crucial kills and blocks in the decider for a total of 14.
Skipper Angela benting exploded for 20 points while Paulina Soriano added 11 in effectively handing Lyceum its second setback in three games.
Guest Mary Jean Balse paced the Lady Pirates with 25.
Earlier, NU went back to the winning note as it thrashed Perpetual Help in straight sets, 25-14, 25-20, 25-22.
It took only 67 minutes for the Lady Bulldogs to destroy Perpetual’s offense as Mervic Mangui rebounded with a 14-point output she highlighted by 13 kills.
Guest player Aleona Denise Santiago also provided 14 hits for the Lady Bulldogs while Elaine Sagun converted 10 spikes and posted three service aces for 13 points.
“We really prepared hard after that loss to Adamson,” said NU coach Francis Vicente.
No one among the Lady Altas registered in a double-digit output with guest player Nasella Nica Guliman and April Sartin punching only seven apiece.
Games Sunday (The Arena, San Juan)
2 p.m. – SSC-Excelroof vs Perpetual Help
4 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Lyceum
6 p.m. – FEU vs Adamson
Team Standings
San Sebastian 3-0
Adamson University 2-1
Ateneo 2-1
National University 2-1
Far Eastern University 1-2
Lyceum 1-2
Perpetual Help 1-2
St. Benilde 0-3
(Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)