SMART-Gilas Pilipinas to face young, tall Chinese training team in FIBA Asia Cup

source: InterAKTV | interaksyon.com

The SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team will not have a showdown with the top team of China just yet. 

The Asian basketball powerhouse will be sending its training team to the FIBA Asia Cup, where SMART-Gilas will also compete.

The Chinese squad, which is coached by the controversial Fan Bin, will still feature some top talent. Point guard Guo Ailun, an 18-year-old guard who played for Team China in the London Olympics, is expected to lead the charge, along with Yu Shulong, a 22-year-old point guard who also had a stint with China’s elite squad.

Dong Hanlin, an athletic 6-foot-10 forward who has drawn international attention, is expected to lead a bevy of Chinese big men, which also includes 20-year-old Li Muhao, who stands 7-foot-2, and 22-year-old 7-footer Zhonghao Xu. Several other members of the Chinese squad stand above 6-foot-10.

The Chinese team also features Zhao Tailong, the reigning slam dunk champion of the Chinese Basketball Association.

Chinese website Sohu.com first reported the lineup of the team, which is being used to train future members of the country’s elite squad.

The team’s coach Fan Bin became the subject of controversy last year when he was still calling the shots for China’s youth squad. He was suspended by the CBA after players complained about his supposedly abusive behavior. He was reinstated several weeks later.

The FIBA Asia Cup, slated September 14 to 22 in Tokyo, Japan, is the second step for SMART-Gilas in its buildup for next year’s FIBA Asia Championship, where three seats for the 2014 FIBA World Cup are at stake. The Philippine team is coming off a rousing victory at the 34th William Jones Cup, bringing home the title for the first time in 14 years.

SMART-Gilas is scheduled to face China in its opening match on September 14. The Philippines and China are drawn with Lebanon, Uzbekistan, and Macau in Group A, while Iran, Chinese Taipei, Qatar, Japan, and India comprise Group B.

by InterAKTV | interaksyon.com

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4th FIBA Asia Cup (earlier known as Stankovic Cup) 
September 14-22, 2012 / Tokyo, Japan

Groupings for Preliminary Round:
GROUP A: Philippines, China, Lebanon, Uzbekistan & Macau
GROUP B: Taipei, Iran, Japan, Qatar & India

Official Website: tokyo2012.fibaasia.net/

* The 4th FIBA Asia Cup is the qualifying event for the 27th FIBA Asia Championship in 2013, which in turn will be the qualifying event for 2014 FIBA World Cup to be held in Spain. [more info]

Preliminary Round Schedule:
Sept.14 (3:30pm) - PHL v China 
Sept.15 (6:00pm) - PHL v Lebanon 
Sept.16 (1:00pm) - PHL v Uzbekistan 
Sept.17 (10:30am) - PHL v Macau 
Live TV Broadcast Schedule: TBA - To be announced

Awesome outside sniping gives all-Pinoy TNT 3-0 card

source: www.pba.ph


Sans an import and their head coach, the Talk n Text Tropang Texters defied tremendous odds, jolting the B-Meg Llamados, 102-96, to stay unbeaten in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night. 

ABL: Streaking Patriots make it six in a row

source: gmanetwork.com

The AirAsia Philippine Patriots captured their sixth consecutive win Sunday, beating the Bangkok Cobras 70-62, in the ASEAN Basketball League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Michael Jordan sues Chinese sportswear firm

source: Agence France-Presse

CHICAGO - Retired NBA superstar Michael Jordan announced on Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time) that he has filed a lawsuit in China against a Chinese sportswear and shoe manufacturer over unauthorized use of his name.

Knicks lose chemistry in loss to Nets (VIDEO)

source: Agence France-Presse

NEW YORK - Jeremy Lin flirted with a triple double but the New York Knicks struggled to find the right chemistry with the returnof Carmelo Anthony from injury, losing 100-92 to the New Jersey Nets on Monday (Tuesday, PHL time).

National U Bulldogs enlist PHL youth star

source: Jasmine W. Payo | inquirer.net

Vying to turn itself into a league contender, National University taps another Philippine youth team star to boost its UAAP men’sbasketball campaign.

Rodolfo “J-Jay” Alejandro III committed Sunday to suit up for the Bulldogs just months after starring for the national under-16 team and the Mapua Red Robins in the NCAA juniors division.

Pinoy point guards run show in ABL

source: Olmin Leyba | philstar.com

While the American imports expectedly grabbed the lion’s share in scoring and rebounding in the third AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League, two diminutive point guards from the Philippine teams are showing the way in other key departments.

Tenorio heroics lift Alaska past Ginebra in PBA road game

source: gmanetwork.com


LA Tenorio scored Alaska's last seven points in the final 21 seconds of the game ast the Aces pulled off a miraculous 76-74 win over the Barangay Ginebra Kings in a thrilling PBA Commissioner's Cup roadgame in Lucena City Saturday night.

Cyrus Baguio paced Alaska's scoring with 29 points as the Aces moved to solo second with a 2-1 record. The Kings dropped to 1-1 and failed to join league-leader B-MEG on top of the standings.

ABL: Patriots down Slammers Beermen win

source: Olmin Leyba | philstar.com

Nakiea Miller and Al Vergara knocked down clutch baskets as AirAsia Phl Patriots trounced defending titlist Chang Thailand Slammers, 81-72, to take the first round pennant in the third AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League last night at the Thai Japanese Association Gym in Bangkok.

Coca-Cola chairman pulled trigger on Baylon’s departure from PBA board

Powerade team executive JB Baylon’s resignation won’t be effective until February 29, but Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. chairman William Schultz has decided to replace him on the PBA Board of Governors.

According to PBA chairman Mamerto Mondragon, Schultz has advised the league in a letter that Ronald Asuncion will be designated as the franchise’s “acting governor” to replace Baylon.

Lin assists Knicks in easy victory over Kings (VIDEO)

Jeremy Lin set a new career-high in assists and the New York Knicks rolled to their seventh straight victory, 100-85, over the Sacramento Kings.

Lin's streak of 20-plus scoring games ended, but he tallied a career-high 13 assists and six other players scored in double figures as the Knicks improved to a 15-15 record this season.

Griffin flushes pain of last season

(NBAE/Getty Images)If Blake Griffin’s(notes) absence last season made anyone doubt his potential impact in the NBA … well, he needed all of two minutes to show the world otherwise.

Griffin announced his official arrival into the league with a vicious one-handed alley-oop dunk in the Los Angeles Clippers’ season opener. Not 90 seconds later, he flushed a stunning one-handed put-back dunk.

“I hear people say, ‘I forgot you could jump like that,’ ” Griffin said. “But I haven’t played in a year so I understand why. It was like I was lost for two years and I’m finally back.”

The only question now: Can he help the Clippers win?

Griffin has averaged 16.6 points and 11 rebounds through his first three games, highlighted by a 20-point, 14-board performance in the opener against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Clippers, however, lost all three games, a familiar story for a franchise that has reached the playoffs just once in the past 13 seasons.

Still, even during the rocky start, the 21-year-old forward’s potential has given the Clippers some hope the skies will eventually clear.

“He is just scratching the surface right now,” Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. “He has a high ceiling. And I think that’s the most exciting part as we see the process evolve.”

Taken with the No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft, Griffin missed all of last season after he broke his left kneecap in the final game of the preseason. The year off may have caused even some NBA general managers to wonder about his future. In the league’s annual poll of GMs this fall, Griffin was projected to finish a distant second to Washington Wizards guard John Wall(notes) in the Rookie of the Year race. Wall received 67.9 percent of the vote to Griffin’s 28.6 percent.

But after just three games, Griffin’s explosive athleticism has already brought comparisons to a young Kenyon Martin(notes), who Griffin idolized as a kid. Griffin runs the floor well, is a strong rebounder – even on the offensive end – and a shot-blocking threat.

One long-time NBA scout who recently saw Griffin play likened him to “a more athletic Karl Malone.” The only thing that can keep Griffin from winning Rookie of the Year, the scout said, is possibly his health.

“He’s quick off his feet, explosive, aggressive and has great hands,” the scout said. “He needs work on his post moves, but in our league he will get a lot of offensive rebounds for baskets. He runs really well. He will defend big small forwards like Paul Pierce(notes)and Carmelo Anthony(notes). He has a huge upside because he is so active.”

In addition to Griffin’s post game, which is still evolving, he also needs to develop a consistent midrange shot – evidenced when he missed 11 of 15 shots in a recent loss to the Dallas Mavericks – and improve his ball-handling skills. No one, however, doubts his work ethic.

“I’m still working on slowing down,” Griffin said. “Every day, every practice I’ve taken away something little, something small here and there. Hopefully, I will be able to keep adding things to my game.”

Another NBA scout who has seen Griffin play recently said one attribute stood out above all else with the forward: his toughness. During his freshman season at Oklahoma, Griffin underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a cartilage tear in his right knee and returned in just one week. His relentless play also has some worried he’s exposing himself to more injuries.

“He doesn’t take any rebounds for granted,” the scout said. “In other words, not only does he not go after it hard, he doesn’t think the other player is going to get it.

“He has to be careful about how much time he spends high in the air. It’s a long season, and landing awkward can shorten his career.”

Del Negro played with several stars during his career, including David Robinson, Tim Duncan(notes) andJason Kidd(notes). Griffin, he says, also has the potential to be special, but it’s going to take time.

“He’s a great athlete who plays basketball,” Del Negro said. “We have to make him a great basketball player who is incredibly athletic. That’s not going to happen overnight, but he’s such a great kid with the right demeanor and work ethic. He wants it and will put in the work.”

Because of their long history of losing, the Clippers usually make only the rare national TV appearance. That’s changed this season. Eleven of L.A.’s games will be televised nationally, and more potentially could be added.

For that to happen, Griffin will have to take on his toughest challenge yet: He has to help the Clippers win.

Marc Spears 

Iverson plans to sign deal to play in Turkey

Allen Iverson can make up to $2 million
playing in Turkey this season.

Allen Iversones) has agreed in principle to sign an incentive-laden, two-year, $4 million contract with Besiktas of the Turkish professional league, sources told Yahoo! Sports on Sunday night.

Iverson plans to sign the contract this week, the sources said, and is expected to report to Besiktas the week of Oct. 31.

Iverson’s contract will give him an opt-out clause after this season. There’s no escape clause during the season for Iverson to leave Turkey and return to the NBA.

Iverson, 35, could make his debut for Besiktas on Nov. 6 in a game against Bornova. Besiktas played its first game of the season on Oct. 19 and is 1-1 in league standings.

Iverson has solicited more lucrative offers to play in China this season, but has been intrigued with the prospects of playing in Istanbul. After controversial exits with his last three franchises – Detroit, Memphis and Philadelphia – Iverson exhausted interest from NBA teams. Despite averaging 26.7 points in his 14-year NBA career, Iverson ran out of opportunities in the league.

Besiktas is considered third among the three most powerful franchises in the Turkish first division. The club has a strong following, and team officials believe Iverson could be an immense gate draw.

By Marc J. Spears 
and Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports

Baclao, Al-Hussaini sign P8.7-M, 3-year PBA deal

Photos by Ateneo De Manila

Two days after the biggest surprise in the history of the PBA Rookie Draft was made, Air21 has signed up top overall pick Nonoy Baclao and a discontented No. 2 choice Rabeh Al-Hussaini to a maximum deal given to a newcomer.

Each player agreed to a three-year deal worth P8.7-million.

This was confirmed by Air21 team manager Allan Gregorio to GMANews.TV through a text message.

Considered the best frontline combo in Ateneo's back-to-back championships in the UAAP for the past two years, the rift between Baclao and Al-Hussaini was considered the best kept secret in the Eagles' camp.

The two reportedly even came to blows during practice and didn't get along since then.

But Gregorio believes the first practice session on Tuesday was a good start not only for the two rookies at odds, but also the whole team.

"Everything is fine. They're very professional and we are starting on the right track," said Gregorio.

Rey Guevarra, who was selected third overall by the Express, was also signed to a three-year, P6-million deal.

Two more rookies were also signed up in the first working day of the week Tuesday – Rain or Shine's rookie picks Josh Vanlandingham and RJ Jazul.

Vanlandingham, picked fifth in the Draft, and Jazul, the former Smart-Gilas national developmental team standout selected in the second round by the Elasto Painters, were also signed to a three-year pact. - JVP, GMANews.TV

PBA rookie hopeful Mark Jeffries to join Patriots' title defense bid

Mark Jeffries, a potential first-round draftee in the Philippine Basketball Association, is now bringing his act in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).

After failing to secure the necessary documents that would make him eligible to enter the PBA Rookie Draft this year, Jeffries is now trying his luck with the defending champion Philippine Patriots.

Patriots team owner Mikee Romero , who graced Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue, is excited with the acquisition of Jeffries, a 6-foot-5 versatile guard.

“We’re excited to have him and we have high expectations on him," said Romero. “He played for the US NCAA Division I team. He plays like Kelly Williams or Arwind Santos."

The entry of Jeffries is expected to boost the title retention bid of the Patriots, who are now looking for players after losing some of their previous members who joined the PBA Rookie Draft.

Among the key players of the Patriots who were drafted in the PBA were Nonoy Baclao, Elmer Espiritu, Val Acuña and Khasim Mirza.

“Losing Baclao is huge for this team because the defense starts and ends with him. But I’m confident we can form a stronger team compared to last year’s squad because of the abundance of talented players available," added Romero.



Co-team owner Tony Boy Cojuangco expects a tougher field in the second ABL season.

“I’m sure other teams will beef up their lineups. But I believe we can defend the title because Mikee doesn’t want to lose and he will pick up the right players for this team," added Cojuangco.

Several Filipino players will also be allowed to reinforce the other participating squads in the league. The ABL has allowed three Filipino players to join the two other foreign imports this season.

The other competing teams include Indonesia, the KL Dragons of Malaysia, Thailand Cobras, Brunei Barracudas and Singapore Slingers.

The team, to be handled by head coach Louie Alas and assisted by Glen Capacio, will have an open tryout starting September 4.

“I want to load this team with shooters because I know other teams will be playing zone against us. I’m confident we will be able to form a strong team that will display its never- say-die attitude," said Alas.

The team is also scouting for quality imports to beef up the interior defense.

“Gabe (Freeman) may not be able to join us this time since he is in Turkey while we have yet to talk with Jason Dixon. But we have a list of probable imports and we will know their status after a week," said team manager Erick Arejola.

The ABL opens its second season on October 2 in Malaysia as the KL Dragons host the Cobras while the defending champions opens their bid against the Brunei Barracudas at 8 p.m. the next day at the Ynares Sports Centre in Pasig City. - RCJ, GMANews.TV

McGrady works out with Bulls

CHICAGO (AP)—Seven-time All-Star Tracy McGrady(notes) worked out for the Chicago Bulls on Monday with hopes of landing with the team he turned down a decade earlier.

McGrady could be a low-risk addition for a reconfigured team coming off back-to-back first-round playoff exits. The Bulls wouldn’t have to pay him much and could refuse to fully guarantee the deal if they make an offer, but there are big questions surrounding his health.

The two-time scoring champion had microfracture surgery on his left knee in February 2009 and appeared in just 30 games last season with New York and Houston, averaging 8.2 points. Besides concerns about his condition, another issue is whether he’ll accept a more limited role.

On his Twitter account in the past week, McGrady praised the Bulls and referenced the courtship 10 years ago when he was one of the top prizes in a free agent class that included Grant Hill(notes) and Tim Duncan(notes).

A three-piece band, cheerleaders, team mascot Benny the Bull and then-general manager Jerry Krause greeted him at O’Hare, but with little talent in place, the Bulls struck out. McGrady wound up leaving Toronto for Orlando, instead.

This summer, the Bulls had enough salary-cap space to land two major stars to play alongside All-Star point guard Derrick Rose(notes) and Joakim Noah(notes).

Chicago went after top prizes LeBron James(notes), Dwyane Wade(notes) and Chris Bosh(notes). They decided to former a superstar trio in Miami, and the Bulls landed two-time All-Star forward Carlos Boozer(notes), sharpshooter Kyle Korver(notes) and guard Ronnie Brewer(notes), who all played together in Utah.

They also added backup guard C.J. Watson(notes) and signed veteran forward Kurt Thomas(notes) to a one-year deal in a move that was announced on Monday, giving them a strong defender and rebounder to go with Boozer and Noah. And they have a new coach in Tom Thibodeau.

“I’ve been looking forward to seeing Thibodeau get a head coaching job for a number of years,” said Thomas, who played for New York when Thibodeau was a Knicks assistant. “He definitely put in his time. He’s a hard worker. He’s very passionate about the game. And to finally see him get this opportunity and be a part of it is definitely a blessing.”

The new coach, new additions and core that was in place were big draws for Thomas.

“All those weighed in heavy in my decision to sign here,” he said.

By ANDREW SELIGMAN, AP Sports Writer ( Yahoo Sports )

T’wolves trade Sessions to Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded notes) and Sebastian Telfair(notes) to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Ramon Sessions(notes) and Ryan Hollins(notes).
The Timberwolves will waive West, who has only $500,000 of his $4.7 million salary guaranteed next season. The Cavs also will get a second-round pick in the trade.

Telfair previously played for the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves signed Sessions to a four-year, $16 million contract a year ago, and the Cavs can use him at shooting guard. The Cavs lost center Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes) in free agency and aren’t expected to re-sign Shaquille O’Neal(notes), so Hollins can help their frontline.
Jonny Flynn, the T’wolves’ starting point guard last season, needs surgery to repair a hip injury and is expected to be out at least three months, league sources said. Minnesota recently signed veteran point guard Luke Ridnour and could use Telfair to back him up while Ridnour recovers.
This is the Cavs’ first significant transaction since losing LeBron James(notes) to the Miami Heat in free agency.


Yahoo Sports

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Hornets GM confident Paul will remain with team

The Hornets’ star guard did not request a trade Monday in his meeting with new coach Monty Williams and top team officials, general manager Dell Demps said.
Demps, essentially in his first day on the job since his hiring last week, added that he was confident Paul would still be with New Orleans when the coming season opens.
The meeting took place at an undisclosed downtown location before Demps made his way back to the Hornets’ corporate offices to meet with reporters.

Although Paul did not speak with the media, the team released statement from him that indicated the three-time All-Star and Olympic gold medalist was encouraged by the Hornets’ recent coaching and front-office overhaul.
“The meeting went well. It was great to get an opportunity to sit down with coach Williams, president Weber and our new general manager, Dell Demps,” Paul’s statement said. “I expressed my desire to win and I like what they said about the direction that they want to take the team. I have been a Hornet my entire career and I hope to represent the city of New Orleans and state of Louisiana for many years to come.”
Paul has two years remaining before he can opt out of his current contract with the Hornets. However, he said at his charity golf outing earlier this month that he would welcome a trade if the Hornets did not demonstrate a willingness to give him a supporting cast that would make the club good enough to compete with any team in the NBA.
Only days after making that statement, Paul fired his agent and hired Leon Rose, who also represents LeBron James(notes). Paul also agreed to work with James’ LRMR marketing agency.
Paul’s representatives then told the Hornets that Paul was interested in being traded, but the Hornets countered by scheduling a meeting in New Orleans that included Demps, Williams, team president Hugh Weber, Rose and Paul’s brother, C.J. Paul.
“It was a very productive meeting. I was encouraged,” Demps said. “It was the first time I met Chris. It was a good opportunity for us to open the lines of communication. Chris had some very good points. … He was energetic. He was open. He was honest. He showed that he wants to win, and that’s what we want to do as well.”

Williams and Weber stood nearby but did not comment as Demps discussed the meeting with Paul, which Demps said lasted about 90 minutes.
While Paul cannot force a trade, the Hornets opted to trade disgruntled guard Baron Davis(notes) during the 2004-05 season. New Orleans then began a rebuilding process that picked up speed with the drafting of Paul out of Wake Forest in the summer of 2005. Paul went on to become rookie of the year and quickly became the face of the franchise. A poster-size photo of Paul’s smiling visage is the first thing that greets those who walk into the Hornets’ corporate offices on the 19th floor of a downtown high rise near the New Orleans Arena.
Demps said he hoped Paul would not become disruptive as long as he remains in New Orleans.
“I don’t anticipate that,” Demps said.
If Paul were traded, it would be only the latest change, but perhaps highest-profile one, for a franchise in flux.
Nearly three months ago, the Hornets’ founding owner, George Shinn, reached a verbal agreement to sell his majority share of the club to partner and Louisiana businessman Gary Chouest. A final sale is still pending, however, and both Shinn and Chouest have declined to discuss the holdup.
In the meantime, former general manager Jeff Bower, who also served as head coach after Byron Scott was fired last season, has stepped down. When the Hornets hired the 38-year-old Williams in June, he became a first-time coach and the youngest one in the NBA. Then Demps, 40, replaced Bower in the front office. Demps, a former San Antonio Spurs executive, is a first-time general manager.
So far, the only two new players on the Hornets’ roster are the rookies they drafted last month: Craig Brackins(notes) and Quincy Pondexter(notes). Their only free agent move has been the re-signing of reserve center Aaron Gray(notes), meaning Demps could have a lot of work to do to keep Paul happy.
Demps did not go into detail about the Hornets’ presentation to Paul. He said for competitive reasons he needed to keep much of what they discussed private.
The Hornets’ payroll is close to the NBA’s luxury tax threshold, and team officials have said they do not want to pay the tax or take on new debt while the sale of the club is pending.
Still, Demps asserted, “There’s always ways to be creative.”
“I’m an optimist. I think that we’ll sit down and evaluate the roster and look at all our pieces and move forward and do what’s in the best interests of the organization.”

By BRETT MARTEL, AP Sports Writer (Yahoo Sports )

Smart Gilas Pilipinas NT to undergo revamp

There will be a scramble for regular slots in the Smart Gilas Pilipinas five lineup if the Philippine Basketball Association approves a request by RP coach Rajko Toroman for more reinforcements for the coming Asian Games campaign.

And the prospect of getting bumped off does not sit well with some of the players who have been recruited almost two years ago when the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas took over from the PBA the responsibility of forming a national five that will try to bring the country back to the Olympics in 2012.

Assured of the services of former PBA MVP Kelly Williams, Toroman also wants to tap guards Ryan Reyes of Talk ‘N Text and Solomon Mercado of Rain or Shine and either Asi Taulava of Coca-Cola or Sonny Thoss of Alaska.

Toroman said Taulava or Thoss may fill the gap in the paint if naturalization candidate Marcus Douthit fails to secure his citizenship papers in time for the 16th Asiad.

“When the PBA players come in, our playing minutes will be a concern,” said a discontented Gilas player who refused to be identified.

JV Casio, a consistent off-the-bench playmaker for Smart Gilas, isn’t quite sure how the inclusion of the PBA stars will affect the rotation, but the former De La Salle star is determined to protect his slot.

“I have to play harder, fight for my slot and prove that I belong to the national team,” said the 23-year-old Casio.

“It’s natural for other players to feel bad about it. But if the move is for the good of the national team, I’m definitely for it,” he added.

The RP five finished fourth in the recently concluded William Jones Cup in Taiwan behind the national teams of champion Iran, Lebanon and Japan.

The 6-foot-7 Williams, who could provide Toroman with more height and deft at power forward, is expected to join the Nationals after the PBA Fiesta Conference. Toroman has been utilizing the 6-foot-3 Mac Baracael as his prime option in that position.

Next stop for Smart Gilas is the Fiba Asia Stankovic Cup in Beirut on Aug. 7-15.

Aside from Casio and Baracael, the other original RP team members are Chris Tiu, Mark Barroca, Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, Jason Ballesteros, Dylan Ababou, Rey Guevarra, RJ Jazul, JR Cawaling and Aldrech Ramos.

Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Fil-foreign players Marcio Lasitter and Chris Lutz and Douthit were included in the program this year.

SSC-Excelroof stays unbeaten

Photos by: spikeithard.com

Thai import Jeng Bualee continued her solid performance as San Sebastian-Excelroof made short work of the University of Perpetual Help, 27-25, 25-21, 25-18, to stretch its unbeaten run to four and secure at least a playoff for the last quarterfinal berth in the 7th Shakey’s V-League Sunday at The Arena in San Juan City.

After averaging 19 points in her first three games, Bualee exploded for a conference-high 27 points, including 26 kills as the SSC lasses survived a first set scare to stay unbeaten.

Fellow guest player Suzanne Roces, Karen Berbano and Elaine Cruz delivered the last three spikes against a hit by the Altas as the SSC lasses posted their fourth straight sweep win that underscored their readiness for the season-ending conference crown.

Roces finished with 15 hits while Joy Benito tossed in 11 hits.

“Our objective is to win as many games as possible,” SSC mentor Roger Gorayeb said of his team, which is looking to snare its second title after losing to six-time champions University of Santo Tomas in the previous conference.

The SSC spikers put up a solid defense to neutralize Perpetual Help’s top hitters throughout the one-hour, 12-minute encounter.

No Altas scored in double-digit output to typify their struggle against the Stags, who also put up a superb floor defense that set up a series of SSC attacks.

The Lady Altas were also toothless in attacks, converting just 35 in 111 attempts.

Sandra delos Santos made nine hits to pace Perpetual’s scoring parade while Ronerry dela Cruz had 8 and Claire Bulatao and Nica Guliman groped for six points apiece.

The loss was Perpetual Help’s third against a lone win in the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and organized by Sports Vision.

In the second game, Lyceum needed only 69 minutes to beat College of St. Benilde, 25-13, 25-13, 25-15, and notch its second victory in four meetings.

The Lady Pirates drew double-digit outputs from four players – Mary Jean Balse (18), Joy Cases (15), Rose Peña (11) and Dahlia Cruz (10) – to rebound from a heartbreaking five-set loss to Adamson last Thursday.

Games Thursday (The Arena, San Juan)
2 p.m. — Perpetual Help vs St. Benilde
4 p.m. — National U vs FEU
6 p.m. — Adamson vs SSC-Excelroof