The San Beda College Red Spikers earned their first win of the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference in dramatic fashion, whipping up a late comeback to upend the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 18-25, 18-25, 26-24, 25-21, 15-12, at the PhilSports Arena.
Things began bleak for the Mendiola spikers, falling behind early in the first two sets and allowing the Generals to come within a set of victory. According to San Beda head coach Jose Roque, the Red Spikers needed to focus on floor defense and reception to keep themselves in the match.
“Pag lamang ng ganoon ang kalaban, kailangan mo lang talaga trabahuhin at magsipag sa depense,” Roque quipped.
The Red Spikers were on the brink of defeat, down 22-24 in the third set. But thanks to timely defensive plays and quick transitions, the Red Spikers rattled off a 4-0 run to extend the match. Needing to extend the match further, the Red Spikers mustered a 5-0 blitz in the fourth frame to take a 23-18 lead. San Beda then became stingy with their errors and defense, slowly building a three-point lead in the fifth set which persisted until the end of the match.
“Malaking bagay to para sa confidence ng mga bata kasi nakita na nilang natalo na nila ang kalaban bago ang NCAA,” Roque added.
Yeshua Manliclic led the Red Spikers with 13 points, which he scored mostly during the latter three sets. Open hitter Gerald Zabala added 11 markers.
EAC team captain Israel Encina topped all scorers with 27 points. Kerth Melliza managed 12 points for the Generals who are yet to win a match.
The Red Spikers (1-2) face the University of the Philippines Maroons (2-0) on August 22, 10 am. EAC (0-3) face the National College of Business and Arts Wildcats (0-2) August 24, 12 nn. Both matches will be at the PhilSports Arena.
The Scores
SBC (3) – Manliclic 13, Zabala 11, Santos 9, Masacariñas 8, Paglinawan 8, Torres 8, Gonzales 3, Viray 3, Patenio 0, Ulibas 0, Casin (L), Nicandro (L)
EAC (2) – Encina 27, Melliza 12, Mina 8, Item 5, Bihag 4, Gerella 4, Lim 4, Gorospe (L), Magdan (L)
