6th Shakey's V-league Best-of-three FINALS SAN SEBASTIAN SURPRISED STO. TOMAS, WINS GAME 1 IN 3 SETS

San Sebastian Lady Stags took game 1 of the 6th Shakey's V-league 1st conference Finals yesterday, shocking the heavily favored University of Sto. Tomas Tigresses, 25-17, 25-22, 25-19, behind a tremendous performances from Thai import Jaroensri Bualee and "Rapid Deal" Rysabelle Devanadera.

The Lady Stags are seeking for their back-to-back V-league title, the last one was also against UST.

Captain Laurence Ann Latigay, Analyn Joy Benito and Suzanne Roces combined for 33 points to help San Sebastian catapulted UST's first straight-sets downfall in the conference.

Sto. Tomas, who won all their meetings against the Lady Stags in the regulars, emerged struggled with their perrenial poor receptions. Even the comeback of scoring machine Michelle Carolino from Vietnam stint was never a factor. She was held to only 9 hits.

"Everybody played well. They all stepped up in the Finals," said San Sebastian mentor Roger Gorayeb. "We may have lost twice to UST this conference, but we won the game that mattered most. We controlled their main spikers while we did well in our receptions."

Mary Jean Balse led the Tigresses with 16 points, the only player to score in double figures.

Setter Vernon Ancheta has 79 excellent sets for the Lady Stags.

Game 2 is set on Sunday as San Sebastian hopes to end the best-of-three series.