Propelled by their top trio, the Lady Pirates brought down the defending champion University of Santo Tomas Tigresses, 30-32, 25-15, 23-25, 25-23, 15-10, to claim Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinal duel Sunday in the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

Thai ace Pornthip Santrong took charge of Lyceum’s offense in the final set to finish with a game-high 35 points as the Lady Pirates beat the Tigresses for the first time in 15 meetings since the league’s inaugural season in 2004.

Nica Guliman, who recorded six blocks, and Joy Cases helped the Lady Pirates recover their bearing in the last two frames to wind up with 17 points each.

The Lady Pirates’ breakthrough win—which pushed the back-to-back champion Tigresses on the brink of elimination—came three days after the death of Cayetano “Tanny” Gonzales, Lyceum’s team manager and athletic director.

“We were all surprised [with Gonzales’ death] and we’re all hurting,” coach Emil Lontoc said in Filipino. “But I reminded the players that it shouldn’t be a reason for us not to play well.”

San Sebastian College pounded out a straight-set victory, 25-21, 25-18, 25-18, against an Ateneo de Manila University squad playing minus team star Charo Soriano in the other semifinal match.

Thai import Jaroensri Bualee fired 20 points and Joy Benito delivered the match point to finish with 18 points for the Lady Stags.

“We know they’re psychologically down; they’re affected by the absence of Charo,” said San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb.

Soriano watched from the Ateneo sidelines in crutches after tearing her right anterior cruciate (knee) ligament in Thursday’s game.

Lyceum and San Sebastian will shoot for finals berths in Game 2 on Tuesday.

The Lady Pirates wore black wristbands as a tribute to Gonzales, a constant bench figure who died last Thursday due to a heart attack. He was 58.

But the Lady Pirates kept their emotions in check as Pornthip, Cases and Guliman spearheaded a Lyceum breakaway from a 6-6 deadlock in the deciding set.

Pornthip, who registered seven service aces, rattled four consecutive kills to wrap up the grueling two-hour match.

A pair of Pornthip kills also sandwiched a Syvie Artates hit to cap the fourth set, 25-23, and forge a decider.

Aiza Maizo, the reigning MVP, led the Tigresses with 26 points.