GAMES TODAY
(The Arena, San Juan)
11 a.m. – EAC vs. Mapua
2:30 p.m. – Perpetual vs. Lyceum
DEFENDING champion College of Saint Benilde and Letran won as expected yesterday and shared the lead as the second round of the 100th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament got going at The Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Blazers turned back the Jose Rizal University Lady Bombers 25-16, 28-26, 19-25, 25-13 to improve their record to 8-2, a mark later matched by the Lady Knights, who kept San Beda University winless with a 25-22, 25-21, 27-29, 30-28 win.
Second stringers did most of the heavy lifting for the Lady Blazers, with Rhea Densing top-scoring with 15 points while the Lleses twins, Shahanna and Shekaina, added 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
Cristy Ondangan also contributed to Benilde’s cause with 11 points while setter Chenae Basarte dished out 13 excellent sets.
Rookie Vanessa Sarie had 24 points and seven excellent receptions while Gia Maquilang tallied a double-double of 15 markers and 18 digs for the Lady Knights.
“It was a hard-fought game. San Beda really played well. Pagbalik ni Angel Habacon, I guess it made a difference, unlike noong first round. I commend San Beda for working hard today and kami naman, galing from Holy Week,” Letran mentor Oliver Almadro.
abacon, who was sidelined in the first round due to a knee injury, fired 20 markers in her return for the Lady Red Spikers, while skipper Reyann Canete and Janelle Bachar scored 18 and 16 points, respectively, in the losing effort.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines battles University of Santo Tomas today as action in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament resumes at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Fighting Maroons are out to beat the Tigresses in their 1 p.m. contest as they try to remain on course for the No. 4 spot via the backdoor.
With a 6-6 record, UP needs to sweep its last two matches, including its elims finale against Adamson University on Sunday, and hope that either De La Salle (8-4), UST (8-4) and Far Eastern University (8-5) won’t reach nine wins to stay on course for its first Final Four stint since UAAP Season 78 in 2016.
The Lady Spikers seek to rebound from a tough five-set loss to the Fighting Maroons before the Lenten break as they shoot for a 15th consecutive Final Four berth against the Lady Falcons at 3 p.m.
Defending champion National University, with a league-best 11-2 record, is the only team assured of a Final Four slot and a twice-to-beat advantage.
