Surging Mapua University bucked a slow start to turn back Arellano University in four sets, 14-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-22, in the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball tournament on Saturday at the Lady Chiefs' gym in Manila.
The Lady Cardinals leaned on Nicole Ong and Freighanne Garcia in their fourth-set breakaway, extending their winning streak to three after two early losses to open the season for a 3-2 card. The Lady Chiefs, on the other hand, suffered back-to-back losses to drop to a 2-3 card.
Middle blocker Ong led the way with monster 19 points anchored on 11 attacks and eight blocks while Garcia strung together 18 markers and seven receptions.
"Masaya, grateful kami kasi magkasunod na laro 'yung ginawa namin pero nag-gain kami ng momentum sa mga laro na 'yun at nag-less 'yung error namin," Mapua head coach Aying Esteban said.
"Salamat kasi nag-react 'yung players namin during the second set and nagtuloy-tuloy naman at nanalo kami."
Mapua and Arellano kept it close in the fourth set but the Lady Cardinals pulled away when Raissa Ricablanca and Nicole Ong powered a 3-0 run that made it a 19-16 cushion for the wards of Esteban.
Ong unleashed a quick kill before Garcia unloaded a bomb on the open side for a 21-17 lead. Another Garcia attack sent the streaking Mapua to a 22-18 advantage while Arellano's Mauie Magaling soared from the opposite wing to cut the deficit to two, 23-21.
Garcia, though, cut the momentum and squeezed it through two blockers for the match point while Nadine Berces powered through to seal the victory.
Laika Tudlasan paced the struggling Arellano with 15 points while Fhaye Mangubat chipped in nine markers.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
