Games Sunday (The Arena, San Juan)
2 p.m. - Adamson vs St. Benilde
4 p.m. - National University vs SSC-Excelroof
6 p.m. - Ateneo vs Lyceum

Mary Jean Balse is not a two-time MVP winner for nothing.

Despite playing with hurting knees, Balse exploded for a game-high 21 hits to help power the Lyceum Lady Pirates to a 26-24, 25-16, 25-21 victory over University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas in the 7th Shakey's V-League on Thursday at The Arena in San Juan City.

Showing the form that won her the 2004 and 2009 first conference MVP, Balse took charge in the tight third set, coming through with 20 kills, including the team's last four points as the Lady Pirates cruised to their third win in five starts for a joint third with Far Eastern University.

The Lady Lady Tamaraws walloped the National University Lady Bulldogs, 25-11, 25-19, 25-14, to bolster their own bid for a seat in the next round of the event backed by Mikasa, Accel and Excelroof.

"She's (Balse) really a big help to our team. Despite her injury, she continues to play strong for us," Lyceum coach Emil Lontoc said.

Balse's injuries started in the previous conference when she suited up as guest player for her alma mater University of Santo Tomas, the six-time champion.

Joy Cases provided Balse solid support as she fired 15 points.

The Lady Altas led 17-14 but blew it away after falling into a spate of errors before Balse scored the team’s five of the last seven, including a tip in that finally took the fight out of Lady Altas.