Mapua University avoided being dealt with a reverse sweep after escaping Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25-19, 25-18, 14-25, 24-26, 16-14, to barge into the win column of the NCAA Season 98 women's volleyball tournament on Friday.
Mapua, which lost to Lyceum of the Philippines University in its opening day game, improved to 1-1 while Letran fell to a similar 1-1 card.
The Lady Cardinals raced out to a 2-0 set lead but momentum was no longer on their side after the Lady Knights won the next two to force a fifth and final set. Back-to-back scores from Julienne Castro and Lea Tapang gave Letran a crucial 13-12 cushion as it looked to complete a wild comeback.
Mapua's Nicole Ong went for a quick attack to tie things up before Tapang again scored to bring Letran to the match point, 14-13.
An attack from Hannah de Guzman was initially whistled as an attack error but Mapua called for a challenge which was eventually deemed successful for the tie, 14-all.
Letran's back-to-back attack errors then sealed the hard-fought victory for Mapua.
Rookie Roxie Dela Cruz starred for Mapua anew with a game-high 21 points while Ong finished with 13 markers highlighted by four blocks. Chenie Batac had 11 while De Guzman chipped in 10.
Over at Letran, Castro led the way with 15 points while team captain Sheena Urmeneta and Tapang each chimed in with 14 markers.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
