Laoag outlasts UP to book last semis ticket in V-League

MANILA, Philippines – Laoag outlasted a stubborn State U, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 26-24, Monday to clinch the fourth and last semifinal slot in the Shakey's V-League Season 13-Open Conference at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Jovelyn Prado, a rookie from Arellano U, erupted for 23 points, 22 of which came off attacks, while the duo of Mylene Paat and Jessica Galanza, who played college ball for Adamson, chipped in a combined 27 points to hand the Power Smashers their fourth win against three defeats.

The win also sent Laoag to the best-of-three semis where it will face off with either Bali Pure or Air Force, which was playing each other at press time, starting tomorrow also at The Arena.

"We just want to advance to the semis. That's really our first goal," said Laoag coach Nes Pamilar.

The Lady Maroons, who were led by Diane Carlos' 19 points and Isa Molde's 16 hits, showed some fight early on but the Power Smashers came out more aggressive in the final two sets to snare the win.

"We were a little bit slow in the first two sets but we adjusted," said Pamilar.

Trailing 20-24 in the fourth set, UP mustered all its remaining strength with desperate hopes of forching a deciding fifth set and successfully knotted the count at 24-all on a kill by Molde and three consecutive blocks by team captain Kat Bersola.

But a crisp Galanza kill and a solid Paat spike closed the door for Lady Maroons, who finished their campaign with a 3-4 record.

In the Spikers' Turf Season Two-Open Conference earlier, Cignal routed Sta. Elena Construction, 25-23, 25-19, 25-21, to sweep the elimination round in five games and clinch the top seeding.

Raymark Woo, a rookie out of La Salle, unloaded a match-best 14 points including 13 on spikes to help the HD Spikers prime up for their match awaited duel with the Home Builders, who ended up at No. 4 with a 2-3 card, in their best-of-three showdown starting tomorrow also The Arena.

"We just want to go into the semis on a winning note, it will help our confidence," said Cignal coach Michael Carino.

Air Force downed Instituto Estetico Manila, 25-17, 26-24, 25-23, to seal the No. 2 seed while the loser wound up No. 3.

The Jet Spikers and Phoenix Volley Masters will meet again in the semis.