GAMES TODAY
(The Arena, San Juan)
11 a.m. – San Beda vs. JRU (W)
2:30 p.m. – Mapua vs. San Sebastian (W)
MAPUA University takes on San Sebastian College today, with the Lady Cardinals out to cement their place in the Final Four of the 100th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan
The Lady Cardinals, who will go into the match eyeing their fourth straight win, are out to end the Final Four bid of the Lady Stags when they clash at 2:30 p.m.
With a 10-5 slate, Mapua is running third behind reigning champion College of Saint Benilde (12-2) and league leader Letran (13-2).
Mapua mentor Clarence Esteban said the Lady Cardinals should win more games in second-round action to further boost their campaign.
“Ang saya namin ngayon kasi iyon nga, nakarating kami ng third [spot] kasi dati lagi kaming nasa four, five, six, ganun. Iyong credit ko dun sa mga players na talagang pinapakita lang din nila na gustong-gusto rin nila pumasok sa semis or sa finals kung sakali man,” Esteban said after the Intramuros-based crew’s victory against Jose Rizal University last Saturday 25-17, 25-20, 25-22.
The Lady Stags will go into the game with a 7-9 card.
San Sebastian absorbed its third consecutive loss after yielding to the Perpetual Lady Altas last Friday 23-25, 30-28, 16-25, 21-25.
Freighanne Garcia, Grace Cabadin and Nicole Ong are expected to soar anew for the Lady Cardinals and continue their winning ways while Juna May Gonzales, Divine Garcia and skipper Kath Santos hope to return to the win column for San Sebastian.
Battling in the other game at 11 a.m. are the San Beda University Lady Red Spikers and the JRU Lady Bombers, who are both seeking to gain more victories despite being out of title contention.
San Beda has a lowly 2-13 record while JRU is at the rock bottom with a 1-14 mark.
The Lady Red Spikers, led by Angel Habacon and Reyann Canete, succumbed to Benilde Lady Blazers three days ago 17-25, 19-25, 18-25 while JRU was shut down by Mapua.
