Jose Rizal University dismantled an undermanned San Sebastian College-Recoletos in five sets, 25-21, 18-25, 22-25, 25-20,15-9 to advance to the next step of the knockout stepladder semifinals of the NCAA Season 97 women's volleyball tournament on Friday.
The Lady Bombers opened the fifth set with a furious 6-0 run led by Dolly Verzosa before San Sebastian trimmed its deficit to two, 7-9.
Verzosa then delivered the game-winning point to tow JRU past San Sebastian, 15-9.
Verzosa had another all-around outing with a double-double of 16 points and 15 digs while fellow veteran Kia Melgar led the team with 18 markers off 14 attacks and four aces.
JRU will now face Arellano University in the next phase with a finals ticket at stake.
JRU took advantage of undermanned San Sebastian, who was playing sans star player Reyann Cañete, early as Verzosa brought her team to 23-19 off an ace.
Jamille Carreon, who stepped up for injured Cañete, tried to pump life to the Lady Stags but a Syd Niegos quick sealed the first set, 24-21.
San Sebastian mounted a rally in Set 2, building a 21-14 cushion with rookie Kat Santos piloting the offense. Back-to-back hits from her leveled the match at one set apiece, 25-18.
The Lady Stags played catchup until midway through the third set before KJ Dionisio’s ace gave them the lead at 20-19.
San Sebastian scored a crucial set point, 24-22, with JRU challenging Santos’ attack. Niegos again committed an infraction as the Lady Stags went two sets ahead, 25-22.
JRU avoided a last-ditch run by San Sebastian in the fourth to force a decider, 25-20.
—JMB, GMA News
