V-League: San Sebastian forces rubber match for last finals berth

Perennial NCAA women’s volleyball title contender San Sebastian College escaped with a thrilling five-set 22-25, 29-27, 14-25, 25-23; 15-12 win over University of Santo Tomas to force a rubber match for the last finals berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 9 first conference on Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan City.   Thai guest player Jeng Bualee surpassed her 34-hit outing in SSC’s five-set loss last Sunday, pumping in 40 points and led the Lady Stags’ amazing comeback from an 11-6 deficit in the fifth set to complete the win.   San Sebastian scored five straight points to tie the count then scored four of the last five to wrap up the contest. Two of the Lady Stags’ points were errors made by the Tigresses.   The Lady Stags relied on their reception and set plays in the last two frames with Rubie de Leon coming up with 41 excellent sets against UST’s 27.   It was a sorry setback for the Tigresses, who seemed ready to join the Ateneo Lady Eagles in the finals, after enjoying a 2-1 lead after three sets.   San Sebastian, however, put their acts together to extend the match then came through with a strong finishing kick to frustrate the former six-time champions.   Analyn Benito added 20 hits for SSC, which also drew a combined 18-point output from De Leon, Dafna Robinos, Ara Mallare and Karen Berbano.   Judy Caballejo unleashed 25 hits while Thai Utaiwan Kaensing had 20 and Maika Ortiz added 18 for the Tigresses. — JVP, GMA News