BY ABBY TORALBA
MAPUA University downed San Sebastian College 25-20, 25-23, 25-18 yesterday to kick off its drive on a high in the 99th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
Sophomore Roxie dela Cruz unloaded a match-high 18 points she laced with 16 attacks while Raissa Janel Ricablanca and Freigh Anne Garcia, rookie sensations out of University of the East, debuted with a bang by scattering 13 and 11 points, respectively.
The Lady Cardinals thus seized an early share of the lead with opening day winners Perpetual Help Lady Altas and College of St. Benilde’s Lady Blazers–the three-peat-seeking champions.
In the second match, last year’s bridesmaid Lyceum subdued San Beda University 25-17, 13-25, 25-15, 25-21 to likewise post its first win of the season.
But more than the power hitting Dela Cruz’s statistical impact, it was her mentoring of Ricablanca and Garcia that Mapua coach Clarence Esteban loved the most.
“Hindi na sophomore dating niya sa team dahil malakin part nung nangyari samin last year,” said Esteban of Dela Cruz, who was pivotal in the team’s Final Four finish a year ago.
“Siya nag gaguide sa mga bata, yun ang pinaka grateful ako,” she added.
With an almost intact roster and the arrival of their super rookies, the Lady Cardinals appeared headed to finally bringing home a trophy after falling short a season back.
“Target talaga mag champion, pero podium finish okay na din kami, at least umangat ng umaangat performance,” said Esteban.
The Roger Gorayeb-mentored Lady Stags, for their part, just didn’t have the net and floor defense and couldn’t sustain their attacking game to challenge the Lady Cardinals on this one.
