THE SAN BEDA Lady Red Spikers failed to capitalize on the return of Angel Habacon after a four-set defeat against the Letran (CSJL) Lady Knights 22-25, 21-25, 29-27, 28-30 in the opening of the second round of the NCAA Season 100 Women’s Volleyball Tournament yesterday, April 22, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The Lady Red Spikers struggled in the opening set, trailing 5-8 heading into the first technical timeout of the set. The woes only continued, with the Lady Red Spikers chasing a 12-16 disadvantage in the second technical timeout.
The Mendiola-based squad picked up the pace shortly, tying the game at 19 apiece. Despite sticking close at 21 all, the Lady Knights took control of the first set. Trailing 22-24, the Lady Red Spikers failed to answer a drop ball attack from Marie Judel Nitura of the Lady Knights. The Lady Red Spikers drop the first set of the match, 22-25.
A similar story played out in the second set, with San Beda trailing 4-8 heading into the first technical timeout. This time, the squad in Red-and-White continued to go point for point with the Lady Knights heading into the second technical timeout.
After a trade of leads and tied scores, the Lady Red Spikers took a 16-15 advantage into the second technical timeout. However, Letran rallied on with a four-point run, taking the lead with a 20-16 advantage over the Lady Red Spikers.
Even after a two-point run from San Beda forced a Letran timeout, they failed to maintain the scoring output, losing the second set with a score of 21-25.
The third set saw the Lady Red Spikers start strong, taking an 8-3 lead heading into the set’s first technical timeout after a net touch error from Letran. San Beda remained in the lead heading into the second technical timeout with a 16-10 advantage after an attack point from Janelle Bachar.
Both teams showed gutsy performances after the technical timeout. Letran caught up a two-point deficit that saw the Lady Red Spikers on match point with a 24-22 advantage. Heading into extra points, both sides went tit-for-tat in scoring. Reyanne Cañete sealed the set victory with a precise attack in the middle of the Letran defense, giving San Beda a 29-27 third-set win.
The fourth set saw the Lady Red Spikers take another 8-3 advantage into the first technical time out. Moments of play before heading into the second technical timeout saw a closer affair, with the Lady Red Spikers holding off scoring runs from the Lady Knights and taking a 16-15 advantage.
Extra points were needed as well in the fourth set. Gia Maquilang of the Lady Knights converted a running attack, tying the set at 24 apiece. The Lady Red Spikers dropped the fourth and final set of the match, 30-28, after an unsuccessful challenge on a called net touch violation sealed the game.
Still winless with a 0-10 record, the San Beda Lady Red Spikers look to claim their maiden win of the season in their next match against the San Sebastian College – Recolletos (SSC-R) Golden Stags on Sunday, April 27, at the same venue.
Set Scores:
San Beda – CSJL: 22-25, 21-25, 29-27, 28-30
Box Scores:
San Beda (1): Habacon 20, Cañete 18, Bachar 16, Navarro 12, Bedural 5, Hiponia 1
CSJL (3): Sarie 24, Maquilang 15, Nitura 12, Napal 7, Martin 6, Dela Cruz 4, Colendra 3, Tumayao 3, Estreller 1