MAPUA University stunned defending champion College of St.Benilde in four sets yesterday 25-20, 11-25, 27-25, 25-21, extending its winning streak to six in the 100th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta gym in Las Pinas City.
With the win, the Lady Cardinals improved to 6-2, snapped the Lady Blazers’ five-game winning run and handing St. Benilde its second loss in nine games.
Middle blocker Alyana Ong stepped up to the challenge with 14 points on 12 attacks and two blocks while Nadine Berces nearly had a triple-double performance of 10 markers, 18 digs and nine excellent receptions.
Earlier, Perpetual protected its home court by scoring a 23-25, 25-23, 14-25, 25-22, 15-13 win over the Letran Lady Knights and improved to a league-leading 7-1 mark.
Also sizzling for Mapua were RaissaRicablanca and Freighanne Garcia with a combined 18 points. The latter also made huge defensive contributions with 15 excellent receptions and 12 digs.
“(Sinabihan) kolangiyongmgabata, no pressure langkasisinasabikonganawalanamangmawawalasaatin, di namantayoiyong defending champion, walanamantayongpinanghahawakan. So, play lang kung anongmerontayo. Tyagainnatin kung anongmerongsistematayo, tyagainlangnatinhanggangsamanalotayo,” Mapua mentor Clarence Esteban said.
The victory was a huge morale-booster for the Intramuros squad going into its battle against the Perpetual Lady Altas on Saturday at the same venue for their last match in the first round.
“Credit din sakanila (players) kasitalagangpinagtitiyagaannilaiyongtrabaho, pinagtitiyagannila kung anongdapatmangyayari. So very proud akodoonsamgabatakasikahitganunkahirapiyongkalabannaminnilalabanlangnilanangnilalabanhanggangsamanalo kami,” Esteban added.
Open spikersWielynEstoque and Mycah Go were the one-two punch for the Lady Blazers with 17 and 16 points while ZamNolasco added 11.
Bouncing back from their loss last week to St. Benilde, the Lady Altas were led by middle blocker Winnie Bedana who had 18 points, while outside spikerShailaOmipon tallied a double-double of 17 markers and 17 excellent receptions.
Letran slipped to 6-3.
