THE SAN BEDA Lady Red Spikers opened their National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Season 101 women’s volleyball run in convincing fashion, defeating the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Lady Pirates in four sets, 25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-18 on Saturday, January 24, at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The Lady Red Spikers struggled to assert control in the first set, with both teams trading points in a tight contest. San Beda managed to pull ahead toward the end, taking the first set, 25-21.
In the second set, LPU adjusted their defense and attacked more aggressively, forcing San Beda to call timeouts as the Lady Pirates captured the set, 22-25.
The Lady Red Spikers responded in the third set with renewed energy, seizing an early lead of 8-3, then extending it to 15-8 with relentless floor defense and precise side spikes. Angel Habacon and Janelle Bachar spearheaded the attack, dominating the Lady Pirates’ blocks and securing the set, 25-15.
Riding the momentum, San Beda carried their aggressive offense into the fourth set. With Angel Habacon delivering powerful spikes and the team maintaining solid communication on the floor, the Lady Red Spikers built a commanding 20-12 lead. They closed out the set with a 25-18 finish, clinching the victory.
Janelle Bachar was named player of the game, leading San Beda with a combination of powerful attacks, precise spikes, and consistent floor presence that helped turn crucial points in the team’s favor.
Team captain Angel Habacon, who led the squad in scoring, described the win as a surreal yet proud moment.
“Feels surreal, like sobrang unfamiliar ng feeling pero isa lang masasabi ko, sobrang proud ako sa teammates ko, sobrang proud ako sa sarili ko and sa team namin kasi this is our first time na nanalo sa first game. So, it’s a win talaga na kailangan naming i-celebrate,” she said.
Looking ahead to their next match against the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Lady Generals, Habacon emphasized preparation and trust within the team.
“Sabi nga nila coach, i-work namin ‘yung sa training namin since may scouting naman po na nakakatulong sa amin. So, kailangan talaga namin paghandaan and, ‘yung trust namin sa teammates namin and sa team namin. Kailangan hindi mawala and kailangan i-work pa namin,” she added.
Habacon also praised first-year head coach Coach Kungfu Reyes for his tactical expertise. “Sobrang professional, kasi, as you know coach Kungfu is a legend-coach. When it comes to games like this, sobrang tactical and sobrang galing magbigay ng instructions, mga plano, lalo na during games.”
The Lady Red Spikers return to action on January 28 as they face the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Lady Generals in their second game of the #NCAASeason101 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, at the same venue.
Set Scores:
San Beda – LPU: 25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-18
Box Scores:
San Beda (3): Bachar 27, Habacon 23, Catubig 9, Joniega 4, Navarro 4, Molina 2, Castillo 1, Caballero 1
LPU (1): Dolorito 13, Osada 12, Tulang 11, Bio 7, Pascual 5, Galedo 3, De Guzman 2, Alberto 2, Muchillas 2