In the battle of the two shortest teams in the league, the erroneous San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags pulled just enough from their scoring skills to slip past the Jose Rizal University Bombers in four sets 21-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-23 in the NCAA Season 92 Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
The Stags gave up 38 errors which mostly came off the attack. But the Recto spikers still dominated the other offensive skills to take the match. They out-spiked the Bombers 46-33, nailed more blocks, 9-2, and served more aces, 7-4.
“Kung titignan naman, kung malilinis lang namin ‘yung laban namin kanina mas makakausad sana kami. Kaso ang dami naming error lalo na noong first set. Kahit may errors pa rin noong mga sumunod, nalimitahan naman namin kaya nahirapan na pumuntos ‘yung kalaban,” said San Sebastian assistant coach Clint Malazo.
After dropping the first set, the Stags buckled down and got their offense churning. They easily built leads to start off each of the last three sets and never looked back.
Skipper Jahir Ebrahim and Christian Calonia led the Stags with 15 points apiece while Arvy Onque added 10.
The Stags evened their record at 3-3 and still have an outside shot at a Final Four spot.
“Ang goal lang naman is mag-improve every game. Kung makakuha kami ng enough na panalo para maka-Final Four, malaking bagay na para sa amin ‘yun,” added Malazo.
The Stags return to action on January 11 against the currently second-seeded University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas (4-1).
Ronaldo Dampitam managed 15 points for the Bombers while Patrick Rabaja added 11.
JRU (1-5) takes on the Arellano University Chiefs (4-1) when the league resumes action on January 4.
The Scores
SSC-R (3) – Calonia 15, Ebrahim 15, Onque 10, Ronato 9, Lana 8, Lazaro 3, Eugenio 1, Sanchez 1, Yanga 0, Toledo (L)
JRU (1) – Dampitam 15, Rabaja 11, Sulivas 7, Sioco 4, Cruz 3, Estacio 2, Castillo 2, Cebrero 1, Ferwelo 0, Defensor (L), Flor (L)
