Behind their dynamic duo, the San Beda University Lady Red Spikers belted the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Lady Altas with a straight-set whipping, 25-18, 25-22, 25-17, in the 2019 PVL Collegiate Conference, Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
“Malaki siya for us pero sabi ko nga sa mga girls, no pressure game naman. Manalo o matalo, meron kaming matututunan,” San Beda captain Cesca Racraquin said. “Masaya na nanalo kami pero ‘yung focus lang namin ay maglaro ng maayos at makita kung ano pa kailangan namin ayusin.”
Coming off a stinging loss to Ateneo last week, San Beda let loose Nieza Viray, who missed her team’s first three matches. She announced her arrival with a game-high 14 points — built on 11 attacks, two service aces and a block — laced with seven excellent receptions.
Complimenting Viray was Cesca Racraquin. She hammered down 10 attacks and a pair of aces en route to 12 markers while also collecting 10 excellent digs.
Trisha Paras and Kim Manzano were also instrumental in the victory. The former netted nine points while the latter finished with seven.
San Beda setter Lynne Matias tossed 19 excellent sets. Meanwhile, defensive specialist Daryl Racraquin manned the floor with 12 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions.
The Lady Red Spikers have kept their semis bid alive with a 2-2 slate. They sit at third spot behind Ateneo and Adamson, both of which will battle for a spotless record and a share of the lead in Pool A on Sunday.
Still, despite picking up a morale-boosting win, Racraquin knows that San Beda has plenty to work on especially since it was the first time their starters were completed in the said tourney.
“Yung mga preseason namin, hindi kami masiyado nagkakasama and eto palang ‘yung game na nakumpleto ‘yung first six namin kaya medyo nagkakapaan pa rin,” the San Beda skipper said. “Marami pa ring room for improvement kasi medyo iba-iba ‘yung liga namin ngayon.”
The Lady Red Spikers were outblocked by the Lady Altas, 2-7, but they made up for it in the attacking and service departments. San Beda rained down a 43-24 differential in attacks and 5-2 in aces.
On the other hand, Jhona Rosal tallied 11 points to go along with five excellent digs and four excellent receptions. She was the lone bright spot for the Lady Altas, who fell to a 1-3 card.
San Beda shall next face San Sebastian on Saturday, September 14. Meanwhile, Perpetual look to end their campaign on a high note when they take on Ateneo the day after. Both matches will be played at the same venue.
