[UPDATE: An earlier version of this article previously reported that Letran had already clinched a spot in the Final Four based on information from the NCAA’s official press release. The story has been updated to clarify that Letran is in the running for the Final Four, but not officially in yet.]
Raissa Ricablanca and Nicole Ong took turns as Mapua University defeated San Beda University, 25-21, 26-24, 22-25, 25-13, to keep its Final Four hopes alive in the NCAA Season 99 women's volleyball tournament on Tuesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Rookie opposite hitter Ricablanca led all scorers with 22 points anchored on 19 attacks and three blocks while veteran middle blocker Ong imposed her will on the net with six blocks to finish with 17 markers.
The Lady Cardinals ended their elimination round campaign with a 6-3 slate to remain in semifinals contention while the Lady Red Spikers fell to 3-6 to close out its campaign.
Mapua had the chance to sweep San Beda but the Cardinals blew a 19-16 lead in the third frame as the Mendiola crews forced an extension after unloading a 9-3 closing run.
But the wards of Mapua head coach Aying Esteban made sure to seal it in the fourth with Ong unleashing three blocks to power a massive 8-0 run that allowed them to clinch the match point at 24-11.
San Beda would still counter with back-to-back points, but Ong's final quick play ultimately took the fight out of the Lady Red Spikers as Mapua completed the four-set victory.
Mapua's Final Four fate now depends on the result of the game between Arellano (5-3) and also-ran Jose Rizal University (1-7) later at 2:30 p.m and the Letran-San Sebastian game on Wednesday, with the Lady Knights (6-2) looking to secure its own place in the semis.
[Note: Arellano clinched a spot in the Final Four with a three-set win over JRU. Mapua still has a shot of entering the Final Four with a Letran loss, although the tiebreak will still depend on the number of sets played and points scored in Letran's final game.]
READ MORE | NCAA Season 99 Final Four Picture
"Masaya naman 'yung panalo namin kaso ayon nga po, parang mas magiging masaya kung na-straight sets namin kasi kung na-straight sets namin mas buo na 'yung pagpasok namin sa Final Four," Ricablanca told GMA News Online.
"Pero hindi pa naman po kami naglo-lose ng hope kasi meron pa naman pong game 'yung JRU at Arellano at pwede pa mabago 'yung sitwasyon namin."
[We're happy with the win but we would be happier if we won in straight sets because if we did, our entry to the Final Four would be secure... But we aren't losing hope, there's still a game between JRU and Arellano and it could still change our situation.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
