Mapua University clawed back from a huge third set deficit to complete a sweep of also-ran Lyceum of the Philippines University, 25-20, 25-18, 26-24, and remain alive in the NCAA Season 99 men's volleyball tournament on Friday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Cardinals erased a seven-point disadvantage in the third frame to improve their playoff chances with a 3-5 win-loss card while the Pirates fell to a 0-7 slate.
Barbie San Andres delivered yet another stellar performance as the third-year outside hitter dropped 16 points and seven digs while Karl Lastimosa and Ar-jay Ramos chipped in 13 and 12 markers apiece.
Their outputs were crucial especially after the Cardinals saw themselves down 22-15 in the third set before they unleashed a wild 9-0 barrage capped by four straight points from Ramos.
Adrian Musni then committed an attack error that allowed the hungry Pirates to tie things up at 24-all. But team captain Lastimosa nailed a strong opposite kill before San Andres issued the finishing blow to help Mapua escape the close third set affair.
Kiko Edang led the way for Lyceum as he posted 15 points while Jansen Palad and Jhon Aquino each chipped in eight and five markers.
Mapua will look to further bolster its Final Four drive come Tuesday against the slumping San Beda University while LPU will take on De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde on Sunday.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
