1 day Ago
San Sebastian College-Recoletos averted a meltdown in escaping a gritty Jose Rizal University, 25-23, 25-23, 22-25, 23-25, 16-14, in the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. The Lady Stags wasted an early 2-0 set advantage, but fended off a comeback attempt from the Lady Bombers to improve to 7-5 while the Lady Bombers fell to a 1-11 card. Tina Marasigan led the escape act with 25 points while Kath Santos shone on both ends with 21 markers, 16 digs, and 15 receptions as they bounced back from a previous loss to San Beda University last Sunday.
The win also allowed the Lady Stags to overcome career-high outings from the towering duo of JRU middle blockers Patricia Del Pilar and Gayle Batara. The 22-year-old Del Pilar posted 24 points built on 22 attacks while Batara posted 21 markers anchored on four blocks, but those were not enough to carry JRU to its second win. They, however, made sure the Lady Bombers put up a gallant stand, erasing a five-point deficit in the fourth set as Del Pilar unleashed back-to-back quick attacks before Batara won a joust to make it a 23-21 lead.
Batara closed out the fourth frame hitting two consecutive quick kills as they dragged the Lady Stags to a deciding fifth set. The 20-year-old Batara continued her brilliance in the final set, unloading three straight points to enable her team to take a crucial 7-4 lead. She even brought them to the match point at 14-12 after another hit.
But a Divine Garcia attack and three straight errors from JRU saw San Sebastian cruising to the five-set romp. —JKC, GMA Integrated News.
