Mapua University notched its sixth straight win in the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball tournament at the expense of defending champions De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 25-20, 11-25, 27-25, 25-21, on Thursday at the University of Perpetual Help System gym in Las Piñas.
The two teams were tied at 19 in the fourth set before Nadine Berces ignited the Lady Cardinals' four-point run. An attack error from Mapua stopped the bleeding for the Lady Blazers but Mycah Go's service went short as the Intramuros-based squad reached match point. Cristy Ondangan salvaged one for Benilde but a service error from Sophia Badion handed the victory for the Lady Cardinals.
"[Sabi ko lang] sa mga bata, no pressure lang kasi sinasabi ko nga, walang mawawala sa atin, hindi naman tayo defending champion eh. Wala tayong pinanghahawakan so play lang, kung anong meron tayo, tiyagain lang natin hanggang manalo tayo," head coach Aying Esteban said.
Middle blocker Nicole Ong had 14 points from 12 attacks and two blocks as the Lady Cardinals improved to 6-2. Nadine Berces added 10 points, on top of 18 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions. Gem Gavica also had 20 out of the team's 22 excellent sets.
This is the first time that Mapua has won against Benilde at least since the women's volleyball tournament returned in Season 97, which made it sweeter for Ong.
"'Pag alam naming crucial, alam naming sobrang bigat ng pressure, parang lalo kaming tumitibay, parang diamond. Kanina nga, personally, wala naman ding gumulo sa utak ko na pressure so lahat tinake namin as motivation," Ong said.
"Nung pagkapanalo, una kong naisip, after four years natalo na [namin]. Grabe 'yung iyak ko kanina."
Clydel Catarig had 17 points, while Mycah Go added 16 points as the defending champs went down to 7-2.
Mapua will next take the Lady Altas in the same venue.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
