MAPUA University remained at the upper echelon of the 100th NCAA women’s and men’s volleyball tournament, thanks to the heroics of veterans Nicole Ong and Barbie San Andres.
Both the Intramuros-based spikers were feted as the Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Players of the Week for the period of April 3 to 12, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, for their exemplary efforts in both their respective divisions.
For one, Ong held it down for the Lady Cardinals for two straight wins en route to a 7-2 win-loss card at the end of the first round and join the logjam at the top spot with Letran, College of St.Benilde, and Perpetual Help.
On April 3, the 22-year-old middle blocker registered 14 points, including two blocks, to help Mapua zoom past defending champions Lady Blazers 25-20, 11-25, 27-25, 25-21.
“I think nandun din ‘yung adrenaline and gigil for this game kasisino bang hindi gusto manalo,” said Ong after the Benilde match.
Then just two days after, the Lady Cardinal standout followed up right away with 10 points in the squad’s 25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 25-17 win over the Lady Altas.
Ong defeated teammate Nadine Berces, Arellano’s Pauline De Guzman, and Lyceum’sJohnaDolorito in the recognition also backed by Discovery Suites and World Balance.
Over at the men’s division, San Andres was a key factor in the Cardinals’ 2-0 record this past week as Mapua wrapped the first round with an unblemished record of nine wins.
