Lyceum of the Philippines University moved closer to securing a Final Four slot in the NCAA Season 98 Women’s Volleyball Tournament after sweeping Colegio de San Juan de Letran 25-15, 25-20, 25-17 on Tuesday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The Lady Pirates extended their winning streak to three games, rising to 6-2, while the Lady Knights are now in danger of being eliminated with a 4-4 record.
Lyceum’s head coach Cromwel Garcia said that they would approach their final game the same way they treated the previous ones, saying, “We’re still taking it one game at a time. We’re going to prepare against Perpetual and whatever the result is after this elimination round, we’ll just prepare for it again.”
After winning the first two sets, the Lady Pirates found themselves up by just one point, 16-15, as the Lady Knights refused to give up easily. However, that was as close as Letran could get as Lyceum went on a run that turned the tight scoreline into 24-17, which eventually ended with Jaja Tulang’s ace.
Joan Doguna continued her impressive play with 15 points, while Venice Puzon contributed five markers and 15 excellent sets for Lyceum. For Letran, Lara Silva led the team with 12 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions, while Cha Cuñada added six markers and seven excellent digs.
Meanwhile, San Sebastian College-Recoletos claimed a back-to-back win against Emilio Aguinaldo College with a three-set 25-22, 25-16, 25-17 victory. This is the Lady Stags’ first three-set win since July 10, 2022, in Season 97 when they swept the Lady Knights in their final game of the season.
Christina Marasigan led San Sebastian with 20 points, built on 19 attacks and a block. The opening set was closely contested, with neither team giving an inch. Up by only one point, 23-22, late in the first set, San Sebastian gained set point with ease after a Kristina Manlapaz service error. Marasigan eventually closed it with an attack to seal the opening frame.
From there, the Lady Stags used the momentum they gained at the start as they took the following two sets with significant leads. Jewelle Bermillo had 24 excellent digs for San Sebastian, while Alexa Sison added 17 excellent sets with four points. For EAC, Cathrine Almazan scored 13 markers and six excellent receptions. Krizzia Reyes had 12 points, while Anne Formento added 10 excellent digs, 10 excellent sets, and two points.
San Sebastian improved to 2-6, while EAC dropped to 1-6.
