The San Beda College Red Spikers came from behind and won against fellow Final Four contender Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates, while Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals waylaid Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in straight sets, in the continuing action of the NCAA men’s volleyball eliminations, Monday at the FilOil Flying V Center, San Juan City.
In the first match of the year, San Beda turned back a one-set deficit and swept the next three against Lyceum to clinch their fifth win of the season, 21-25 27-25 25-13 25-16. After dropping the first set, the Red Spikers took the lead in the second through the efforts of wing hitters Alfie Mascariñas and Mark Enciso. However, errors piled up for the Mendiola-based squad and gave the Pirates a chance to snatch the lead. After taking the set point, Jim Velarde entered the match and delivered the set-clinching service ace to level the game.
From there, the Red Spikers never looked back and pummelled the Pirates in the pivotal third frame. Lyceum tried to keep pace in the fourth, but San Beda were able to close it out. San Beda peppered the opposition with attacks, 62-44, and edged them on service aces, 4-2. Enciso led the pride with 21 markers, 17 coming from attacks. San Beda Team Captain Mascariñas provided 18 attacks to lead the support cast.
With the win, San Beda are currently third place with one more match left on Wednesday, January 5, against the undefeated University of Perpetual Help Altas. The also-ran Pirates will end their season against San Sebastian College-Recolletos on Thursday, January 7.
The Scores:
SBC (3) – Encisco 21, Mascariñas 18, Zabala 11, EK Gonzales 9, Manliclic 8, Desuyo 2, Velarde 1, Viray 1, BJ Gonzales 0, Ulibas 0, Casin (L)
LPU (1) – Presenede 15, Badua 13, Abrencillo 11, Donsao 6, Dulce 3, Ganilla 2, Pecana 1, Rubio 0, Samonte 0, Uy Corral 0, Managa (L), Calvo (L)
Mapua closed the day with a straight-set victory over the hapless Bombers, 25-20, 25-15, 25-20. The Cardinals turned to their height advantage and punished the reception problems of JRU. The Bombers had some strong offensive runs in the first and third sets, but these were not enough to overhaul the deficit.
The Cardinals nosed out the Bombers in attacks, 35-31, and in service aces, 3-1. Mapua out-muscled JRU on blocks, rejecting 10 hits from the Mandaluyong-based team. Towering middle blocker Anjo Pertierra was the lone player in double figures, leading the Cardinals with 10 points, 6 coming from blocks. Skipper Philip Bagalay and Sam Navera followed with 9 markers apiece. Roden Pulongbarit had 12 points to lead the Bombers.
The Scores:
MIT (3) – Pertierra 10, Bagalay 9, Navera 9, Damian 8, Almalel 6, Cuzon 5, Hizon 1, Vargas 0, Evangelista 0, Dais 0, Bondoc 0, Canlas (L)
JRU (0) – Pulongbarit 12, Manzanas 9, Sioco 6, Ferwelo 3, Lahaylahay 2, Plastina 1, Dampitan 1, Castillo 0, Sulivas 0, Francisco 0, Rabaja 0, Flor (L), Defensor (L)
