San Beda University caught the last semifinals bus in the NCAA Season 95 Women’s Volleyball Tournament after pummeling Mapua University in a lopsided manner, 25-19, 25-17, 25-19, Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Behind the 17-point, 12-dig double-double performance of Nieza Viray, the Lady Red Spikers hardly broke a sweat while belting the Lady Cardinals with a straight-set whipping that lasted for 67 minutes.
Thanks to the open hitter’s all-around brilliance, they rose to 6-2 to firm up their position in the next phase, joining St. Benilde, Arellano, and Perpetual in the semis cast.
“At least na secure na namin ‘yung Final Four, so kailangan namin mas maging hungrier pa kasi papalapit na ‘yung semis eh,” said San Beda head coach Nemesio Gavino Jr.
“Mas maganda kasi nakikita ko ‘yung mga bata, talagang napupursigi so maganda sa amin ‘yun. ‘Yung morale nila mataas tapos ‘yung maturity sa game nandiyan,” he added.
San Beda captain Cesca Racraquin and Kim Manzano also left their imprint on the all-important match. The former hammered down all of her 12 points through attacks, while the latter anchored above the net with four of her 11 markers coming from blocks.
Lynne Matias glued things together for the Lady Red Spikers. She tossed up 14 excellent sets, cranking up her side’s offensive machine that dismantled Mapua in the attacking department, 44 to 20.
San Beda also shut down the Lady Cardinals with its net defense, limiting the opposition below double-digit.
Lorraine Barias and Mae Fernandez topped Mapua with seven markers each for the Lady Cardinals, who fell down to the cellar with a dismal 1-7 slate.
San Beda tries to jockey for better positioning when it collides with Lyceum on Friday, February 14. On the same day, Mapua seeks to end its campaign on a high note when it faces St. Benilde. Both matches will be held at the same venue.
