From: PHILSTAR.COM

Stephanie Mercado unloaded a career-high 19 hits as La Salle rallied from a set down to sweep the next three for an 18-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-16 victory over San Sebastian College to seize the solo lead with two wins in the Shakey’s V-League second conference at The Arena in San Juan last night.

The Lady Archers, coming off a win over Far Eastern U in their return to the league, struggled in the early going as the Lady Stags stamped their class with their quickness and power to take the opener. But the three-time champions made key adjustments in the second set to draw level before sustaining their form to prevail.

“The girls struggled in the first set because the Lady Stags were quick in their plays but we were able to adjust from the second set, especially in blocking,” said La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus.

Jacqueline Alarca added 11 hits, including two blocks, while reserve Charleen Cruz made 10 hits for La Salle, which put to naught two-time NCAA MVP Lou Ann Latigay’s 18 hits.

Earlier, Ateneo, drawing firepower from its guest players and rookies, subdued Lyceum, 25-14, 25-21, 12-15, 25-21 to join UST at second with one win apiece.

Michelle Laborte and alumna Ma. Rosario Soriano combined for 29 hits, including 25 kills that pierced through Lyceum’s defense while third year player Misha Quimpo tossed in 12 for the Lady Eagles, out to redeem themselves after a failed title bid against the Adamson Lady Falcons in the first conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

“Charo (Soriano) still got the killer’s instinct but she’s far from her top form while Micmic (Laborte) played well, especially in blocking,” said Ateneo coach Clint Malazo.

The Loyola-based squad also drew solid games from newcomers Fille Cainglet, Angeline Gervacio at Jem Ferrer, who scored 16 hits among themselves, including 10 from Cainglet, to underscore the team’s balanced scoring.

“The veterans and the rookies played with cohesion. They struggled in the third but they were able to put their act together in the fourth,” said Malazo.

For updates and results, visit the tournament website at www.v-league.ph. The league, organized by Sports Vision, is backed by Active White skin whitening products, Mikasa and Accel.

Meanwhile, the Ateneo-Lyceum game will be telecast on NBN-4 starting at 2 p.m. today with replays to be shown on both Viva Prime Channel on Destiny Cable and Makisig Channel on Sky Cable.

Cainglet, Gervacio, Laborte and Soriano, now a marketing manager of a top cosmestic surgery clinic, led Ateneo’s attack in the first two sets. But the Lady Pirates fought back in the third behind alumna Dahlia Cruz, who knocked in the bulk of his 16 kills in the that stretch to extend the match.

The Muralla-based tossers kept the game close in the fourth, 15-18, but made a rotation error before Soriano and Laborte took over again with their powerful spikes.

http://philstar.com/index.php?Sports&p=49&type=2&sec=30&aid=20081024102

GAME PHOTOS: http://greenarchersph.multiply.com/photos/album/42/OCT_24_VS_SSC-R