V-League: SWU, USLS spikers end campaign on winning note

Already ousted for the race for the semifinal round, Visayan teams Southwestern University and University of St. La Salle-Bacolod scored similar hard-earned wins at the close of the quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s V-League at The Arena in San Juan. SWU clobbered embattled College of St. Benilde, 25-19, 25-23, 25-12. Piyatada Lasungnern, the Lady Cobras Thai import, scored 19 hits, while guest player Erika Verano chipped in 10 markers for SWU’s first victory against two setbacks in the quarterfinal round.

Giza Yumang topscored for the Lady Blazers, who lost all their three games in the quarterfinals with 13 points. Earlier, University of St. La Salle-Bacolod ended its campaign on a winning note, posting a 25-22, 25-19, 25-23, upset victory over Lyceum. Guest player Mic-Mic Laborte outplayed and outscored the Lady Pirates’ Thai import Porntip Santrong with 16 hits as USLS foiled Lyceum’s bid for an outright top spot in Group I. Defending champion University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo, which have identical 2-0 cards, dispute the top seeding in Group II next week. “I told them that we have nothing to lose and we have everything to gain in this game. They played relaxed and pressure- free," said USLS coach Roger Banzuela. "It's a good win because we can come home to Bacolod with our heads high as we finished with a victory. Hopefully, we can accomplish more the next time we join and find a suitable setter to have a better chance," added Banzuela. - RCJ, GMANews.TV