Rookie Nicole Ong continued to flex in the NCAA Season 97 women's volleyball tournament as she steered Mapua University in making quick work of the streaking Jose Rizal University, 25-14, 25-23, 25-17, on Sunday.
Mapua improved to 2-1 following this and an upset win over San Sebastian College-Recoletos last Wednesday while JRU absorbed its first loss to slide to 2-1.
Ong produced 11 points anchored on 10 attacks and a block while helping her in the offense was Tere Manalo who poured in 11 markers as well.
After a lopsided opening set, the Lady Cardinals saw a tight affair in the second frame with JRU team captain Dolly Verzosa tying the match at 23-apiece. But the Trixie Gojol-Princess Babiera connection in the middle gave Mapua the set point, 24-23.
Mapua capped off the set off an attack error by JRU middle blocker Sydney Niegos, 25-23.
Earlier in the first set, Mapua quickly built a separation from JRU after Tere Manalo went for an open hammer for a 21-14 spread before Nicole Ong wrapped it up with three straight points, 25-14.
Ong remained red-hot in the third frame, fueling a furious 7-1 run where she notched three attacks as Mapua reclaimed the lead, 17-14.
A miscommunication by JRU proved costly as Mapua reached the first match point, 24-16, before Carla Gaudan hit the ball from the back row to complete the sweep for the Lady Cardinals, 25-17.
Niegos and Verzosa each posted seven points while Riza Rose had five markers as JRU halted its winning run in the tournament.
Mapua will look to extend its winning streak to three when it takes on University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Friday while JRU tackles San Sebastian College-Recoletos on Wednesday.
—JMB, GMA News
