ATENEO de Manila turned the tables on a confident Lyceum squad Sunday night, hacking out a pulsating fifth set victory, 25-10, 17-25, 16-25, 25-22, 15-12 in the 7th Shakey’s V-League second conference at The Arena in San Juan.
Three members of the Hail Mary squad dished out double figures, led by Thai import Surasawadee Boonyuen with 23 hits, 19 coming from kills while Denise Acevedo and Angeline Gervacio churned out 10 points apiece.
The Lady Eagles, who lost to San Sebastian in straight set fashion last July 22, showed stronger composure than the Lady Pirates in the almost two-hour tiff.
Guest player Mary Jean Balse powered the losing effort of Lyceum with 27 points, while Dahlia Cruz added 20 points including two ace services.
In the other contests, San Sebastian-Excelroof dominated a debuting National University, cruising to a 25-13, 25-18, 25-14 win to clinch the first quarterfinals slot.
The Lady Stags, who upped their record to 5-1 (win-loss) made a huge comeback after absorbing defeat from contender Adamson last week.
Meantime, the Lady Falcons preyed on an erratic St. Benilde squad in the third set to pound out a 25-23, 25-11, 25-23 victory, their fourth against two losses as they joined the Lady Stags in the next round of the tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs dropped to 2-3 but remained in sixth place, one game ahead of seventh running Perpetual Help (1-4).
St. Benilde, meanwhile, is in danger of an early exit after it took its fifth straight defeat.
Thai import Jeng Bualee fired 19 attacks, while Joy Benito added seven kills and wound up with 10 points as they spearheaded SSC’s charge over a hapless NU team.
Guest player Denise Santiago led NU with just nine hits as Mervic Mangui was held to a measly five-point output.
rGames Thursday (The Arena, San Juan City)
2 p.m. - FEU vs Perpetual
4 p.m.- St. Benilde vs Ateneo
6 p.m. – Lyceum vs. National University
(Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)