Mapua University toppled previously undefeated De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 25-17, 21-25, 28-26, 26-24, to preserve its own unbeaten record in the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball tournament on Thursday at the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA gym in Las Piñas.
The Blazers were leading 22-20 in the fourth set before the Cardinals made three straight to take the lead. Reymark Betco's attack tied the set at 23 but a service error from Christian Aguilar put Mapua at 24. A net touch fault by Saint Marlowe Jamisola tied the set again, as Arjay Ramos and Barbie San Andres sealed the win for the Cardinals.
"Sinabi ko nga sa kanila, nothing to lose din kasi nasa taas pa rin tayo. I-enjoy na lang 'yung game, ituloy-tuloy na lang, eh sa amin pumabor 'yung momentum, nanalo kami," Mapua head coach Aying Esteban said.
San Andres had another all-around performance with 27 points from 21 attacks, four aces, and two blocks, along with 13 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs as the Cardinals improved to 8-0. Jamisola and Ramos added 14 and 12 points, respectively.
"Kung paano po kami mag-prepare sa ibang games, lahat ng kalaban tini-treat namin sila as pantay-pantay kasi kami ang may control sa game namin," San Andres said.
Rocky Roy Motol had 22 points, while Christian Aguilar had 13 points as the erstwhile unbeaten Blazers slipped to 8-1 to end their first round campaign.
Mapua will have a chance to go for a first round sweep when it takes on Perpetual on Saturday.
But more than the sweep, the team just wants to get as many wins as they can as they hope to make it to the Final Four round.
"Gusto namin mag-sweep, target naman ng kahit sinong team na manalo. Pero hangga't kaya namin, gagawin namin," Esteban said.
"Hindi po namin siya iniisip kasi kahit anong mangyari sa game, hindi namin priority ang sweep. Ang goal namin is one game at a time kasi Final Four ang goal namin. Kung ibibigay man sa amin, thank you, darating naman siguro 'yun kung pagtrabahhuhan namin pero [ang] main focus namin ngayon is maangat ang standing namin para tuloy-tuloy hanggang second round and then sana makapasok kami hanggang Final Four, in Jesus' name," said San Andres.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
