By: Rom Anzures
Mapua University bounced back from its disappointing loss against Arellano with a sweep of College of St. Benilde, 25-23, 25-15, 25-21, on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 98 Mens’ Volleyball Tournament at the San Andres Complex in Manila.
Barbie San Andres once again willed his team to victory with 21 points that were built from 19 attacks, a block, and an ace.
Even after a see-saw affair in the first two sets, the Cardinals were able to assert themselves to win both after outscoring the Blazers in attacks, 31-24, and forcing them to commit 15 errors.
The third set yet again started in a close manner, with CSB even leading at one point 12-10, after a Georgie Gauani attack.
Both teams even got into a deadlock at 18 apiece, then Mapua went back to what they did best during the game, scoring on a flurry of attacks that came from Ar Jay Ramos, Zaniel Florendo, and the game-clinching kill from San Andres.
Ramos contributed seven attacks and an ace for the Cardinals who improved to 4-2 in the standings.
The Blazers, on the other hand, fell to 2-4.
In the morning game, Emilio Aguinaldo University also completed a lopsided sweep against Lyceum of the Philippines University, 25-10, 25-8, 18-25, and improved to 4-1 in the season.
Joshua Ramilo steered the streaking Generals with 11 points, 10 from attacks and an ace, who have won their fourth straight game.
The Generals, who are coming from a five-set win against San Beda, completely dominated the Pirates in the first two including a second set that saw EAC getting a huge advantage over Lyceum in attacks, 17-5.
The Pirates tried to close in on the Generals in the third and even got to as close as two, 13-15, after a combination play from Sean Escallar to Vergel Golloso.
But EAC regained focus thereafter and outscored Lyceum, 10-3, including a strong Jerimaih Salonga kill through the Pirates’ blockers which won them the game.
Marvin Romero also contributed 11 points and nine excellent digs, while Joshua Olivo put up nine markers, and Ralph Pitogo and Kenneth Battiancila scored six each.
Mark Castellano put up four points for Lyceum who is still without a win midway into the season with a 0-6 record. Harvie Dizon followed him with three points, and Kier Tibayan, Earl Polis, and Kent Veronilla contributed two each.
