Lady Stags trip Blazers for V-League semifinals

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian College held off a surprisingly tough St. Benilde side, 25-23, 24-26, 25-21, 25-16, yesterday to join University of Santo Tomas in the semifinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 6 at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Ranged against an ousted rival, the Lady Stags struggled in the first set and sputtered in the next before re-asserting their might in the next two frames to hack out the victory in 1:36.

Joy Benito uncorked 25 spikes for a 26-point output while Margarita Pepito and guest alumna Jinni Mondejar unloaded 13 hits apiece for the Lady Stags, who closed out their quarterfinal stint in the second conference sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza with an 8-4 slate.

Adamson stayed in the hunt for the last semis berth as it foiled Ateneo-OraCare, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-21, to tie its victim in fourth at 6-5.

Skipper Angela Benting fired 26 hits while Jill Gustilo and Paulina Soriano had 22 and 20 points, respectively, marking the first time that three players in a team churned out 20-plus outputs.

The win was crucial for Adamson as it will play ousted St. Benilde in the final quarters playdate on Friday while Ateneo will have to beat UST to stay in the semis race.