Angel Habacon set a new career-high to lead San Beda University to a 17-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-17, 15-5 escape against an undermanned Jose Rizal University in the NCAA Season 99 women's volleyball tournament on Wednesday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The rookie outside hitter detonated for a career-best 36 points anchored on 31 attacks and five aces alongside 12 digs and eight receptions as the Lady Red Spikers remained alive with a 3-4 card.
Habacon's performance was one for the books as it broke San Beda legend Janine Marciano's 33-point outburst in Season 89, making her now the Lady Red Spiker with the most points.
The 21-year-old sensation also tied the all-time NCAA scoring record of former San Sebastian star Grethcel Soltones, who also had 36 markers in the Final Four round of the same season.
The Lady Bombers, on the other hand, got the boot as they fell to a 1-6 card as they missed the services of team captain May Ruiz who was out due to a swollen left knee.
The Lady Red Spikers regained their identity in the fourth set as they broke a 16-all stalemate thanks to a massive 10-1 closing run capped by a Habacon open kill off the hands of JRU setter Inday Laurente.
Unfortunately for the Lady Bombers, Laurente hurt her right shoulder on that defensive play that forced her to miss the early part of the fifth set.
San Beda took advantage of a depleted JRU lineup in the decider as Michela Cagalawan erupted for back-to-back hits that sent them to an 8-3 cushion before Habacon made it a huge 12-4 lead.
An error from JRU catapulted San Beda to the match point, 14-5, before the lefty Abraham completed a combination play in the middle to seal it for the Edgar Barroga-helmed squad.
Habacon had ample support as Cagalawan dropped 20 points all on attacks while Abraham and middle blocker Erin Navarro chipped in seven points each.
Karyla Jasareno led JRU with 15 points while Cherish Dayame and Gayle Batara poured in 13 markers apiece.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
