IN A NAIL-BITING five-set match, the San Beda University (SBU) Lady Red Spikers outlasted the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Lady Bombers, 25-23, 16-25, 20-25, 25-15, 15–10, in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 101 Women’s Volleyball Tournament preliminaries on February 6 at the San Andres Gym.
The Lady Red Spikers started the match on a high note and took the first set 25–23, as Angel Mae Habacon delivered precise attacks while the team’s floor defense kept the Lady Bombers from gaining ground.
After a tight first set win, the Lady Red Spikers struggled to keep the same rhythm as the Lady Bombers pushed back in the second set, 25–16. From here, JRU forced errors from San Beda while maintaining constant pressure through aggressive serves and sharp attacks at the net and quickly seizing control of the match.
The Lady Bombers carried their momentum into the third set, 25–20, sealing it with a powerful spike that left San Beda scrambling, as the Lady Red Spikers struggled to regain the timing and coordination that had helped them win the first set.
Determined to turn the match around, San Beda stepped up in the fourth set, 25–15, with a sharp floor defense and well-timed attacks that exploited gaps in JRU’s court that led to a decisive fifth set.
In the deciding fifth set, San Beda rode the momentum from the fourth and opened a quick lead with sharp attacks and well-timed blocks, and held off JRU’s late rallies to close out the match 15–10.
As San Beda pushed toward victory in the final set, Habacon delivered key plays at critical moments that kept Lady Bombers on the back foot and helped secure the hard-fought win.
Reflecting on the team’s performance in those tense moments, Habacon credited their focus and discipline, saying, “Maturity, mental toughness, confidence, and composure po talaga.”
She also highlighted her teammates’ abilities, saying, “Naniniwala po ako na capable ang mga teammates ko,” noting that their collective effort, focus, and execution during crucial points were necessary to secure the decisive victory.
This victory keeps San Beda in a strong position as the NCAA season progresses, with Lady Red Spikers’ captain Habacon noting that the team’s skills, along with mental toughness and composure on the court, are equally crucial to their performance and will be essential in maintaining consistency in upcoming matches.
(with Eunice Karen Buccat)
Set Scores:
San Beda – JRU: 25-23, 16-25, 20-25, 25-15, 15–10
Box Scores:
San Beda (3): Habacon 26, Bachar 21, Navarro 9, Catubig 6, Dela Cruz 5, Joniega 5, Caballero 3, Espina 2, Castillo 1, Molina 1, Hiponia 1
JRU (2): Ramos 24, Deala 23, Batara 10, Lapating 7, Dimatawaran 6, Navarra 4, Dungca 1, Carabot 1