After a rousing win over the defending champion Perpetual the San Beda College Red Spikers continued their hot streak with a four-set triumph over fellow contenders Mapua University Cardinals, 25-18, 28-26, 26-28, 25-20, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
With expectation heaped on the veteran Red Spikers this season, San Beda head coach Nes Pamilar is glad his squad survived a tough stretch of their schedule and found their way around adversity.
“Marami kaming malalakas na team na sunod-sunod naming nakalaban pero, sa tingin ko, okay itong pinakita namin. May mga pagkukulang pa talaga kami, pero nalulutas namin unti-unte sa bawat practice at game namin,” said Pamilar.
Semifinalists last season, the Red Spikers gutted it out against a highly-improved Mapua side. End-game execution proved vital with San Beda taking a tight second set thanks to steady attacking from their wings. Mapua then extended the match via a similar long deuce through timely defensive plays.
San Beda, however, halted the Cardinals in the fourth set after taking a 17-12 lead and never looking back.
“Hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy na ‘yung ganitong laro namin. Marami ding team ang gusto makapasok sa Top Four kaya kailangan patuloy ang pag-angat ng laro namin,” Pamilar closed.
San Beda’s lefty winger Mark Enciso topped all scorers with 25 points off 22 attacks, two blocks, and an ace while Limuel Patenio chipped in 14 markers.
The Red Spikers (3-1) take on rivals Colegio San Juan de Letran (0-4) on Monday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Mapua team captain Anjo Pertierra compiled 15 points coming from 10 attacks, three aces, and two blocks while Sam Damian added 13 markers.
The Cardinals (2-2) take on San Sebastian College – Recoletos (1-2) on Tuesday also at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
SBC (3) – Enciso 25, Patenio 14, Viray 13, Amagan 10, Santos 5, Manliclic 3, Desuyo 2, Gonzales 1, Genobaten 0, Ulibas 0, Casin (L)
MU (1) – Pertierra 15, Damian 13, Egan 12, Egan 9, Pagulong 9, Navera 2, Evangelista 1, Bondoc (L)
