After a sorry loss to Saint Benilde last week, Lyceum of the Philippines University vented its ire on Jose Rizal University, 25-23, 25-19, 25-23, to take its maiden win in the NCAA Season 95 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Middle blocker Mary Joy Onofre paced the Lady Pirates to a 1-3 win-loss record with 15 points, five of which came from blocks.
Team captain Ciamelle Wanta added 14 markers, all coming from attacks.
Two straight errors from Jonazel Egera sealed the Lady Bombers’ demise after a great defensive stance from the Pirates eventually clinched the match.
Head coach Emil Lontoc emphasized the urgency of taking this game for getting a chance of going into the Final Four. “Ang sabi ko, ‘yung intensity ng aming training, ‘yung intensity ng aming laro, dapat hindi nagbabago,” the veteran mentor said.
“Sabi ko nga, itong last six games namin, isa-isahin namin,” he continued.
Lyceum threatened to end the game early after leading 17-9 in the third set, but JRU retaliated with eight points to level the frame. Another deadlock ensued at 23-all before the Lady Pirates snagged the win.
The Lady Pirates hammered 41 points on attacks against the Lady Bombers’ 28. They also edged out the latter 10-6 on blocks and 7-3 on serves. Lyceum, however, committed 28 errors that kept JRU in the game.
Dolly Versoza ended with 12 points for the Lady Bombers, who slid to their straight defeat at 1-3.
Lyceum will battle winless Emilio Aguinaldo College (0-3) on Tuesday, January 28 at 12 p.m. Meanwhile, JRU will try to bounce back against the same team, two days after on Thursday, January 30 at 2 p.m.
