Thai import Jaroensri Bualee delivered 31 hits to power the Lady Stags to their fifth victory against four losses that kept the Recoletos-based spikers’ hopes alive.

It was the Lady Pirates’ second straight setback in the semis and fifth overall in nine games in the event also backed by Accel, Mikasa, ABC-5 and ABC Sports.

Despite the victory, SSC coach Roger Gorayeb was not impressed.

"I’m disappointed, it would have been a straight set win if we didn’t relax in the third set," said Gorayeb in Filipino.

Gorayeb was reminded of his team’s five-set defeat to De La Salle last week which he thought they should have won after they took the first two sets.

"That’s our problem we tend to relax when we’re ahead. I think it’s psychological, it’s really our problem," said Gorayeb.

After taking the first two sets with relative ease, the Recoletos-based spikers turned complacent again, enabling the Lady Pirates to seize control, 19-17, in the third set.

The power-hitting Bualee took over again and San Sebastian fought back, regained control and wrested a 23-22 lead.

But the Lady Pirates won the next three points, capped by a Joana Marie Fernando’s towering block on a Rysabelle Devanadera’s smash to steal the set and stay alive.

The Lady Stags, getting a dressing down from Gorayeb, came out of the fourth set an organized lot, dominating their rivals with their power game and solid net defense en route to victory.

Meanwhile, games are telecast over ABC-5 on Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 4:30 p.m., according to the organizing Sports Vision.