GAMES TODAY
(Lyceum gym)
11 a.m. – Mapua vs. Lyceum
1 p.m. – Arellano vs. Perpetual
FOUR-PEAT seeking College of Saint Benilde needed just 70 minutes to score a convincing 25-20, 25-13, 25-21 victory over San Sebastian yesterday and gained a share of the lead in the 100th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Lyceum of the Philippines University gym in Manila.
With outside hitter Wielyn Estoque leading the way, the Lady Blazers waltzed to their third straight win and took their familiar place at the top in a tie with Perpetual Help.
Estoque starred for the Taft-based crew with 15 points and six digs, opposite spiker Clydel Catarig and middle blocker Zam Nolasco fired 12 and 11 markers, respectively, while playmaker Chenae Basarte tossed 21 excellent sets.
“Bago pa mag-start iyong game, napag-aralan nila iyong San Sebastian, nakapag-viewing sila kanina so lahat ng puwedeng hints or puwedeng gawin, alam na nila iyon. Pagdating naman sa substitution, sa third set, nagkaroon ng konting problema pero naka-recover naman kasi andoon pa rin naman iyong core,” said Benilde coach Onyok Getigan.
The match was a good tune-up for the Lady Blazers ahead of their anticipated battle this Saturday against Letran, their finals foe last season, at 1 p.m. at the same venue.
“Training then viewing. I-review iyong mga dapat gawin para ma-stop namin iyong mga key players nila,” Getigan said of their coming match against the Lady Knights who are led by Judiel Nitura, Gia Maquilang and rookie Vanessa Sarie.
Skipper Kath Santos and Tina Marasigan paced the Lady Stags, who slipped to 2-1, with 12 and 10 markers, respectively.
Jose Rizal University’s Lady Bombers picked up their first win of the season, beating the Angel Habacon-less San Beda University Lady Red Spikers 25-22, 25-23, 25-22.
The Lady Bombers snapped their three-game losing skid and kept the Lady Red Spikers winless, with middle blocker Patricia Del Pillar propelling the Mandaluyong-based team with 12 points, 10 off attacks and two blocks, while Nicole Deala and Kring Batara had a combined 18 markers.
The win was a sweet birthday gift to JRU head coach Mia Tioseco, who celebrated her 53rd birthday yesterday.
Sofia Dela Cruz led the Lady Red Spikers’ offense with 18 points while team captain Reyann Canete chipped in 13 markers.
San Beda coach Ed Barroga said Habacon is expected to miss the remaining games of the first round of eliminations due to a partial tear in her left knee.
